Derek Martin, a 67-year-old grandfather, committed a heinous act by violently assaulting his stepdaughter, Chloe Bashford, with a hammer and then fatally stabbing her in her own residence. Subsequently, he ambushed Chloe’s husband, Josh, upon his return home, stabbing him multiple times before strangling him to death with a belt. Martin, from Moulsecoomb, Brighton, initially claimed he was not guilty of murder, citing a psychiatric condition as a defense. However, he was recently convicted of both murders that took place in Newhaven, East Sussex, over two years ago. Today, he has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 29 years.
Before the tragic events unfolded, Martin had a history of criminal activity but had seemingly reconnected with Chloe’s family, even providing financial assistance for a new car and home improvements. On the fateful day of the incident, an argument erupted between Martin and Chloe regarding a debt she owed him, leading to a violent outburst resulting in her untimely demise.
Following the gruesome murders, Martin went to great lengths to conceal his crimes from the children, taking them out for a meal before turning himself in to the authorities. The court also heard that Martin, struggling with mental health issues, had stopped taking his medication and was sleep-deprived in the period leading up to the tragedy.
Elaine Sturges, Chloe’s mother and Martin’s ex-wife, expressed profound grief over the loss of her daughter and son-in-law, emphasizing the emotional toll on their four children. The couple’s eldest son, Brooklynn, paid tribute to his beloved parents, lamenting the ongoing trauma and nightmares he endures since the tragic day. The impact of this devastating event has left a permanent scar on the family, with forgiveness seemingly out of reach for the surviving loved ones.