Tragic Murder Case in Newhaven
A disturbing incident has emerged, showcasing a man who, after killing his relatives, takes his children out to McDonald’s.
Derek Martin, aged 67, was convicted on Friday of murdering Chloe Bashford and her husband Josh at their Newhaven home in June 2023.
Martin, who was married to Chloe’s mother previously, claimed he was cleaning windows when a text about money caused him to snap.
According to Sussex Police, he attacked Chloe, a 30-year-old woman, striking her in the head with a hammer before stabbing her to death.
Later, when Josh, 33, returned home, he encountered Martin, who had a knife. In a tragic turn of events, Josh was stabbed multiple times and ultimately strangled.
Afterward, Martin changed his outfit, picked up the couple’s four children from school, and took them to Costa and McDonald’s in Newhaven.
CCTV footage documented his departure with the children, along with his act of discarding Chloe’s phone in nearby bushes.
He misled the children, claiming their parents were simply having an argument. To prevent them from discovering the crime, he removed doorknobs from the house.
Afterward, he returned the children to their grandmother in Brighton, bought some beer, and drank it at the beach.
Eventually, Martin turned himself in at a police station, where video footage recorded his confession to the murders.
Police found the bodies of Chloe and Josh upon investigating their home, leading to Martin’s arrest.
While in detention, he handed officers a note that detailed where he had left Chloe’s phone, acknowledging his role in their deaths but denying the charges of murder. He attributed his actions to severe depression.
During a lengthy trial at Lewes Crown Court, a jury dismissed his claims of diminished responsibility, convicting him of double murder based on extensive evidence, including assessments from multiple psychiatrists.
Martin remains in custody and is set to be sentenced on November 6th.
Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Eadie from the Major Crime Team expressed gratitude to Chloe and Josh’s children and family for their patience throughout the investigation, highlighting their strength in facing such tragedy.
He noted that while the verdict doesn’t change the past, it may help the family start to heal and move forward.
Marco Brooke from the Crown Prosecution Service emphasized that Martin’s claim of losing control didn’t hold up against the evidence. He pointed out that Martin waited for Josh to return home before attacking him, and then attempted to hide the situation from the children.
This case required extensive research to determine the nature of Martin’s psychological state, leading to delays in bringing the case to trial. The prosecution thanked the family for their understanding during such a difficult time, hoping the sentencing would provide them with some solace.
