A chilling crime story shocked East Sussex, as Derek Martin was found guilty of the brutal murder of Chloe and Josh Bashford. Martin admitted to killing the young couple at their Newhaven home after a money dispute, claiming he “just flipped.” Despite a defence of diminished responsibility due to a depressive disorder, the jury wasn’t convinced and delivered a guilty verdict for two counts of murder.
On that fateful day, after committing the unthinkable acts, Martin carried on with an unsettling facade of normalcy. His actions were captured on CCTV, showing him dining with Chloe and later, unfathomably, taking the couple’s four children to McDonald’s. He then escorted them to their grandmother’s in Brighton before finally turning himself in at Brighton Police Station, confessing, “I’ve killed two people.”
The tragic sequence unfolded with Martin first attacking Chloe at their Lewes Road home, and then, when Josh returned, fatally assaulting him as well. After the heinous crimes, Martin attempted to cover his tracks, even discarding Chloe’s phone, thinking he could escape justice. Yet, it was his own admission about the phone’s location, among other evidence, that played a crucial role in securing his conviction.
The impact on the Bashford children and their family is beyond words, and detectives praised their incredible courage throughout the ordeal. The investigative team, alongside the public’s support, diligently pieced together the puzzle that ultimately brought Derek Martin to justice.
As Martin awaits sentencing on November 6, the community reflects on the heartbreak left in the wake of his actions, hoping for closure and healing for all who loved Chloe and Josh. Their memory will not be overshadowed by this senseless violence.