Julian Evans KC and Harriet Dixon of QEB Hollis Whiteman prosecuted the case of Derek Martin, now 67, who was sentenced yesterday at Brighton Law Courts to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 29 years, reduced to 26 years, 7 months, and 7 days to account for the time that he has spent remanded in custody.
On 24 October 2025, at the conclusion of a 3-week trial, the jury rejected the partial defence of diminished responsibility and found Mr Martin, who was suffering from a depressive episode of mild to moderate severity and from underlying personality difficulties, guilty of the murders of Chloe and Joshua Bashford.
The jury heard that Mr Martin had known Chloe Bashford for her whole life, having previously been married to her mother at a time before Chloe’s birth. In the years immediately preceding the killings Mr Martin had become close with Chloe and Joshua Bashford and their four children, helping with school runs and around the house. On 9 June 2023, Mr Martin attacked Chloe Bashford in her own home as a result, on his account, of an argument about money. He struck her to the head multiple times with a hammer, then retrieved a knife and used it to stab her multiple times. Joshua Bashford then returned home and Mr Martin followed him upstairs and stabbed him multiple times, before strangling him with either a rope or a belt. Having heard evidence from 5 Consultant Forensic Psychiatrists, the jury, by their verdicts, found that Mr Martin had not established the partial defence of diminished responsibility.
In her sentencing remarks, Mrs. Justice Thornton DBE addressed Mr Martin directly, stating:
“Something happened on the morning of 9th June 2023 that was intolerable to you and enraged you and caused you to fatally assault two adults using different weapons. Your attacks were driven by rage and resentment.”
Mrs. Justice Thornton DBE also paid tribute to the family members of the deceased for their dignity throughout the course of the proceedings.
This case has been featured in national press:
Press releases have also been issued by the CPS and Sussex Police.
The case has also been subject to a BBC Documentary.
Julian Evans KC
Harriet Dixon