Derek Martin has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murders of his stepdaughter, Chloe Bashford, and her husband, Josh Bashford, in their Newhaven home. The 54-year-old was found guilty of both murders by a jury at Brighton Law Courts last month. He will serve a minimum of 29 years before being eligible for parole.

The horrific events unfolded on June 9, 2023, following a dispute over money. Martin, who had previously been married to Chloe's mother, claimed she owed him a tenth of the £1,500 she had borrowed. Witnesses reported that the two had spent the morning together before their argument escalated. Martin was heard shouting, "I want my f******g money!" to which Chloe responded, "Well don't bother with us anymore. Don't bother coming round anymore."

In a fit of rage, Martin attacked Chloe, 30, with a hammer, striking her on the head before stabbing her eight times with a kitchen knife. After killing her, he lay in wait for Josh, who was returning home from work. As Josh entered the house, he shouted, "Where's Chloe?" before Martin chased him upstairs, where he stabbed him four times in the chest and then strangled him with a belt.

After the murders, Martin picked up the couple's four children from school, taking them to a McDonald's restaurant before driving them to their grandmother's house in Brighton. He later turned himself in to the police, admitting, "I've killed two people."

In court, it was revealed that Martin had a history of a "bad temper". Chloe's eldest son described him as a "grandfather figure" who was "easy to be around" but noted that he could "switch up" easily. Five psychiatrists were called to assess Martin's mental state, but the jury unanimously rejected his claim of diminished responsibility.

Following the verdict, the court heard a text message Martin sent to Chloe's mother, Elaine Sturges, expressing remorse for his actions and asking her to care for the children. The tragic case has left the community in shock, as the couple were well-regarded and had four young children who are now left without their parents.