A man faces a life sentence for stabbing a loving and dedicated father and grandfather to death earlier this year.
Today (Tuesday 29 October) a jury convicted Sukhjit Bains, 46, of murder for stabbing Michael Martin, 72, to death at a flat in Worthing in March.
Bains is due back at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday (1 November) when he is due to be jailed by Judge Robin Johnson.
Bains, of Brighton Road, in Southgate, Crawley, had denied the murder of Mr Martin at Aspen Court, in St Botolph’s Road, Worthing.
Sussex Police said: “A defendant has been found guilty of the murder of a pensioner in his home in Worthing.
“Sukhjit Bains, 46, stabbed his acquaintance Michael Martin, 72, in a sustained attack inside an address in St Botolph’s Road in March.
“He was later arrested at an address in Crawley and was charged with murder.
“Bains, of Brighton Road, Southgate, stood trial at Isleworth Crown Court where he was found guilty of murder by the jury on Tuesday 29 October.
“The court heard how Mr Martin had been found by a family member at his address at 6.30pm on Friday 22 March this year.
“He had sustained stab wounds and assault injuries and was sadly pronounced deceased.
“Bains had made efforts to conceal his crime inside the address, including wiping clean a knife, turning over a blood-stained rug and putting his own blood-stained clothing in the washing machine.
“In a statement following the verdict, Mr Martin’s family said that he was a loving and dedicated dad and grandad.”
They said: “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.
“There are simply no words to describe the level of pain and loss we continue to feel.”
They said that the crime had left them to navigate “immense feelings of devastation and grief”.
The family added: “Our dad met a violent predator that preyed on the vulnerable. He has taken away the last precious years we had with our dad and grandad.
“This act is something we will never be able to comprehend or forgive.”
Detective Inspector Amanda Zinyama, from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said: “This was a distressing case and our thoughts continue to be with the family and loved ones of Mr Martin.
“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.
“I would like to say thank you to the witnesses who have come forward and to the public for supporting our complex investigation.
“We are pleased that the jury has found Bains guilty of this crime and he now faces sentencing.”
Bains was remanded in custody until the sentence hearing at Isleworth on Friday.
