Derek Martin was jailed for life for the murders of Chloe and Josh Bashford

A man who killed a young couple in their home before taking their children to McDonald’s has been jailed for life.

Derek Martin, 67, was sentenced at Lawton Law courts on Thursday after he was previously found guilty guilty of killing Josh and Chloe Bashford In Newhaven, East Sussex, in June 2023.

He hit Ms Bashford with a hammer and stabbed her, before stabbing and beating Mr Bashford, the court heard.

Martin, from Brighton, who was previously married to Ms Bashford’s mother, later took the couple’s children from school for a McDonald’s dinner with police.

Martin’s life sentence has a minimum term of 29 years.

Minus the time he has already served, Martin will have spent more than 26 years in prison.

After the sentence, the eldest son, Brooklyn Bashord, 18, said: “We’ve been waiting for two and a half years now, so it’s just a relief.

“We just want it all done, it’s like a chapter closed. It’s all done, we can finally move on.”

Brooklynnn said the murder of her parents had “torn everything apart”.

“Everybody’s lives have been turned upside down,” he added.

“I don’t think there’s ever been the same person.”

The 18-year-old says he can start to remember his parents “for all the good things”.

Billy Bashford, Mr Bashford’s brother, said the sentence marked “the beginning of closure for all of us” as “Josh and Chloe got the justice they deserved”.

“Everybody’s lives are broken and completely changed and we have to find a new reality now, we have to find a new normal,” he added.

“Yes, we got the sentence, and yes, we got the justice we deserved, but it doesn’t change how we feel and it won’t change.”

Martin’s dispatch, the honorable chief justice said: “Your attacks are backed by anger and resentment.

“The murders of Chloe and Josh have caused their families deep grief.

“As a result of your actions, their families will suffer for the rest of their lives.

The jury heard Martin often took the couple’s four children to school and helped with decorating and other chores.

He was married to Ms Bashford’s mother before she was born, but the two have grown closer in recent years.

In a victim impact statement, the couple’s son Brooklyn said: “It’s completely crushed us, I have nights and constant flashbars until the day.

“Holidays, Birthdays, Christmas are painful reminders of what was taken from us. I know the pain never goes away.

“We will always remember them. I will never forgive him, neither will any of us. They were the best parents a family could wish for and we miss them every day.”

On the day of the killing, Martin helped with the school run, then bought his breakfast, the hearing heard.

Back at home he cleaned the windows, he later told the police, when they had a row about money and he got angry.

He hit her over the head with a hammer, then got a knife from the kitchen and stabbed her several times.

When her husband returned, Martin followed him upstairs and beat him several times before putting a belt or rope around his neck.

Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist Dr Winga Fazel examined Martin after the death.

The doctor was told that the defendant was £8,000 in debt at the time of the murder, due to gambling problems, according to prosecutors.

Julian Evans KC said Ms Bashford – who jurors heard thought of Martin as a stepfather – intended to pay him every month.

The court was told Martin argued with Ms Bashford until she told him “don’t bother”, at which point he “lost it”.

The court was told he had no history of violence but suffered from depression and anxiety.

Dr Ian Cumming, a consultant psychiatrist, told jurors at Brighton Law Courts five psychiatrists had reports on Martin and there was “uncertainty about depentied responsibility”.

More reporting from Pa Media.