Man who killed pensioner at home jailed for life

Sukhkit Bains has been jailed for life and cannot be considered for parole for 22 years

A “violent predator” who killed an elderly man in his own home has been jailed for life.

Sukhkit Bains, 46, stabbed Michael Martin, 72, at the pensioner’s home in St Botolph’s Road, Worthing, West Sussex, in March.

Bains, of Brighton Road, Southgate, Crawley, was given life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday.

The family of Mr Martin said in a statement that his murder was “something we will never be able to comprehend or forgive”.

CCTV showed Bains entering the property on 20 March - the last time his acquaintance Mr Martin was seen alive.

A neighbour reported hearing noises coming from the home that night.

A member of the family contacted Bains when they had not heard from Mr Martin, whose phone has still not been found.

Bains told them that Mr Martin was in pain but sleeping.

Mr Martin was found with stab wounds and assault injuries at his home by a family member at 18.30 GMT on 22 March.

Bains, also known as Sukhjit Bains, tried to conceal the murder by wiping the knife clean, turning over a blood-stained rug and putting his own bloody clothes in a washing machine.

“Our dad met a violent predator that preyed on the vulnerable," the family said, after Bains was found guilty of murder earlier this week.

"He has taken away the last precious years we had with our dad and grandad. We had the best dad in the world.

"He was our hero and he taught us to love, to be kind and to always look after each other.

“There are simply no words to describe the level of pain and loss we continue to feel.”