The community of Newhaven is bracing itself as one of the area’s most high-profile murder cases heads to trial next month. A three-week hearing at Brighton Crown Court will begin on Monday 6 October 2025, where a jury will decide whether Derek Martin, also known as Derek Glenn, is guilty of the double murder of Joshua and Chloe Bashford.
Tragedy in Newhaven
On 9 June 2023, the bodies of Joshua “Josh” Bashford, 33, and his partner Chloe Bashford, 30, were discovered inside their home on Lewes Road in Newhaven. The incident shocked the quiet coastal town, leaving neighbours and the wider community devastated.
The couple were described by friends as kind and hardworking, and their sudden loss created an outpouring of grief. In the weeks that followed, tributes and vigils were held locally as police carried out one of the most significant murder investigations the area has seen in recent years.
The Accused: Derek Martin
The man accused of killing the couple is Derek Martin, 66, of The Orchards, Moulsecoomb Way in Brighton. Martin was arrested shortly after the bodies were found and has remained in custody ever since, being held at Lewes Prison on remand while legal proceedings continued.
What makes the case particularly complex is Martin’s response to the charges. While he has admitted to killing both Joshua and Chloe, he has denied committing murder. Instead, Martin has entered pleas of guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder.
Defence of Diminished Responsibility
The difference between murder and manslaughter will be at the heart of this trial. Martin’s legal team is expected to argue that his mental state at the time of the killings diminished his responsibility.
Under English law, diminished responsibility can reduce a murder charge to manslaughter if the defence can prove that a recognised mental condition impaired the defendant’s ability to form rational judgment or exercise self-control.
This defence is rare, difficult to establish, and often requires expert psychiatric evidence. The trial will therefore hear detailed testimony from medical professionals, alongside accounts from investigators and witnesses.
Trial Details
Start Date: Monday 6 October 2025
Duration: Scheduled to last three weeks
Location: Brighton Crown Court
Presiding Judge: Dame Justine Thornton, also known as Mrs Justice Thornton
Jury Role: To decide whether Martin’s mental state means he should be convicted of manslaughter or murder
The proceedings will attract considerable public and media interest, not only because of the severity of the crime but also because the defence strategy raises broader questions about mental health, accountability, and justice.
Why the Case Matters
This trial is about more than one tragic event. It touches on issues of law, mental health, and community safety.
Community impact: The deaths of Joshua and Chloe left a lasting scar on Newhaven. For many local residents, this trial represents the search for justice and closure.
Legal significance: Cases where diminished responsibility is argued are closely watched in legal circles, as verdicts can shape how courts interpret mental health defences in future.
Public interest: Beyond Brighton and Newhaven, the case highlights how the criminal justice system balances compassion with accountability when mental illness is claimed as a factor in violent crime.
What to Expect Next
As the trial unfolds, the jury will hear evidence about Martin’s actions on the day of the killings, his mental health history, and expert opinions from psychiatrists. The prosecution will argue that despite any mental health concerns, Martin had the intent to commit murder. The defence, however, will maintain that his mental state significantly reduced his ability to make rational decisions.
The outcome will determine not only Martin’s fate but also how the community understands and processes the tragedy that struck in June 2023.
Conclusion
The Brighton double murder trial will be one of the most significant cases in Sussex this year. It combines the heartbreaking loss of two young lives with the complex legal questions surrounding mental health and responsibility.
When the trial begins in October, all eyes will be on Brighton Crown Court as the jury decides whether Derek Martin is guilty of murder or whether his plea of manslaughter will be accepted. For the families of Joshua and Chloe, the verdict will mark the next chapter in their search for justice.
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