Man who murdered couple in their home jailed

A man who killed a young couple in their home before taking their children to McDonald's has been jailed for life.

Derek Martin, 67, was sentenced at Brighton Law Courts on Thursday after he was previously found guilty of murdering Josh and Chloe Bashford in Newhaven, East Sussex, in June 2023.

He hit Ms Bashford with a hammer and stabbed her, before stabbing and strangling Mr Bashford, the court heard.

Martin, from Brighton, who was previously married to Ms Bashford's mother, later picked the couple's children up from school and drove them to McDonald's for dinner, before handing himself in to police.

Josh and Chloe Bashford were killed in June 2023 at their home in Newhaven

Martin's life sentence has a minimum term of 29 years.

Minus the time he has already served, Martin will now spend more than 26 years in prison.

Following the sentencing, the couple's eldest son, Brooklyn Bashford, 18, said: "We've all been waiting for it for two-and-a-half years now, so it's just a relief.

"We just want it all done with, it's like a chapter closed. Everything's done, we can move on finally."

Brooklyn said his parents' murder had "torn everyone apart".

"Everyone's lives have completed shifted," he added.

"I don't think anyone really was the same person they were before."

The 18-year-old says he can now start remembering his parents "for all the good stuff".

Billy Bashford, Mr Bashford's brother, said the sentencing marked the "start of closure for all of us" as "Josh and Chloe got the justice they deserved".

"Everyone's lives have been torn apart and completely changed and we have to find a new reality now, we have to find a new normal," he added.

"Yes, we got the sentencing, and yes, we got the justice we deserved, but it won't change how we feel and it won't change what's happened."

Sentencing Martin, the Honourable Dame Justice Thornton said: "Your attacks were driven by rage and resentment.

"The murders of Chloe and Josh has caused profound grief to their families.

"As a result of your actions, their families will suffer for the rest of their lives.

The jury heard Martin often took the couple's four children to school and helped with decorating and other jobs.

He was married to Ms Bashford's mother long before she was born, but the two had become close in recent years.

Derek Martin has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 29 years for the murder of Chloe and Josh Bashford

In a victim impact statement, the couple's son Brooklyn said: "It's completely torn us apart, I have nightmares and constant flashbacks to that day. There's not a day goes by that I do not think about them.

"Holidays, birthdays, Christmas are now painful reminders of what was taken from us. I know that pain will never fade. It has shattered an entire family.

"We will always remember them. I will never forgive him, none of us will. They were the best parents a family could wish for and we miss them every day."

On the day of the killings, Martin had helped with the school run, then bought her breakfast, the jury heard.

Back at the house he had been cleaning the windows, he later told police, when they had a row about money and he became enraged.

He hit her over the head with a hammer, then got a knife from the kitchen and stabbed her multiple times.

When her husband got home, Martin followed him upstairs then stabbed him several times before putting a belt or rope around his neck.

Josh and Chloe Bashford lived with their four children in Newhaven

Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Seena Fazel assessed Martin following the deaths.

The doctor was told that the defendant was £8,000 in debt at the time of the killings, mainly due to gambling debts, according to prosecutors.

Julian Evans KC said Ms Bashford – who jurors heard thought of Martin as a stepfather – was meant to pay him money monthly.

The court was told Martin argued with Ms Bashford until she told him "don't bother any more", at which point he "just lost it".

The court was told he did not have a history of violence but had experienced depression and anxiety.

Dr Ian Cumming, a consultant psychiatrist, told jurors at Brighton Law Courts five psychiatrists had carried out reports on Martin and there was "uncertainty about the defence of diminished responsibility".

Additional reporting from PA Media.