The family of Joshua and Chloe Bashford have spoken out after their killer Derek Martin was convicted of murdering the couple by a jury today (Friday 24 October).
After the verdict at Brighton Crown Court, they said that the senseless murders had “left a massive hole in their hearts”.
Chloe’s son Brooklyn, 18, said that he was happy with the verdict.
He said: “Everyone is really emotional but everyone is happy with it. My parents were amazing people – the best parents you could ask for. They were always there for us.”
Brooklyn said that the impact had been immense on him as well as on his three younger siblings, Ava, who was 12 at the time, Mila, 7, and Josh Jnr, 4, who have been left orphans.
He said: “We’ve had to adapt to a whole new life. It feels like we’ve had two separate lives.
“Everyone has taken a while to adapt to it and it’s been really hard for everyone, trying to put it all behind you and carry on. I think, with time, we’ll have to learn to live with it.”
Josh’s brother, Billy Bashford, said: “We’ve finally got justice for Josh and Chloe. They were lovely people. They loved each other so much, you could clearly see that. They were such a happy, happy family.
“It was such a shock for all of us. It came out of the blue. They were a ray of sunshine. We miss them so, so much.
“It’s been a tortuous couple of years and they will be sorely missed. It’s only starting to sink in now.”
Breaking down in tears, he said: “Josh was like a best mate to me. He was everything to me. My life has changed so much without him.
“It’s ripped a massive hole in our hearts. I look at my brother’s kids and they look so much like him. I want to be involved in their lives and always be there for them.”
Billy said that he could find “no words” to describe what Martin did to their family but said he had got what “he deserved”.
He said: “He’s completely ruined a lot of lives. I have no words for what he has done. He’s just completely broken everyone.”
