Brighton Man Found Guilty of Newhaven Couple Murders

Derek Martin, a 67-year-old man from Brighton, has been found guilty of murdering a couple, Josh and Chloe Bashford, in their Newhaven home following a violent attack. Martin admitted to killing the couple but denied murder, claiming diminished responsibility due to a depressive disorder, a claim the jury rejected after detailed medical and forensic evidence were presented. During the attack, Martin struck Chloe Bashford with a hammer and stabbed her multiple times before strangling her husband Josh. After the murders, Martin calmly went about normal activities including taking the couple’s children to school and eateries before surrendering to police. Prosecutors highlighted Martin’s calculated actions, including cleaning up and ensuring the children were not informed of their parents' deaths, which undermined his defense of diminished responsibility. Martin remains in custody and is awaiting sentencing, while the case has deeply affected the Newhaven community and the Bashford family.