A 46-year-old man has been found guilty of the murder of 72-year-old Michael Martin in his St Botolph’s Road home in Worthing, following a brutal stabbing in March. Sukhkit Bains, also known as Sukhjit Bains, was convicted at Isleworth Crown Court on Tuesday, October 29, after a jury found him guilty of murder.
The court heard that Bains, of Brighton Road, Southgate, attacked his acquaintance Mr. Martin in a violent assault, leaving him with fatal stab wounds and other injuries. A family member discovered Mr. Martin’s body on March 22 at approximately 6:30 pm. Paramedics pronounced him deceased at the scene.
Detective Inspector Amanda Zinyama from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team described the incident as “distressing,” adding, “Bains carried out a sustained and violent attack upon him in his home. We were determined to get answers for Mr. Martin’s family and to ensure that Bains was brought to justice.”
After committing the crime, Bains attempted to conceal evidence at the scene. The court was told he had wiped a knife clean, rearranged a blood-stained rug, and placed his own blood-stained clothes in the washing machine before leaving the property. He was later arrested at a Crawley address and subsequently charged with murder.
In a moving statement, Mr. Martin’s family paid tribute to the loving father and grandfather, saying, “He always had time for people, found solace in making friends, and would do anything to help anyone. We had the best dad in the world. He was our hero and he taught us to love, to be kind, and to always look after each other.” The family went on to express the immense grief they feel, describing Bains as “a violent predator that preyed on the vulnerable.”
Detective Inspector Zinyama extended gratitude to witnesses and the public for supporting the investigation, stating, “We are pleased that the jury has found Bains guilty of this crime, and he now faces sentencing.”
Bains will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on November 1, where he faces a likely lengthy prison term for his violent actions.
