A Brighton man who killed a married couple at their home in Newhaven is due to go on trial at Brighton Crown Court today (Monday 6 October).
Derek Martin, 66, has admitted that he killed Chloe Bashford and Joshua Bashford, known as Josh, in June 2023 but has denied murder.
The trial is expected to last up to three weeks and is due to be presided over by Dame Justine Thornton, known as Mrs Justice Thornton.
At a previous hearing at Lewes Crown Court, Martin, of The Orchards, in Moulsecoomb Way, Brighton, answered both charges by saying: “Not guilty to murder. Guilty to manslaughter.”
Martin is expected to rely on a defence that he killed the couple when his responsibility was diminished as a result of his mental state at the time.
The bodies of Josh Bashford, 33, and 30-year-old Chloe were found at their home, in Lewes Road, Newhaven, on Friday 9 June 2023.
The defendant has been remanded in custody and was being held at Lewes Prison.
Evil, knowing those Children wouldn’t have Parents by the time they came of of School.
Knew this man, awful awful story