Cold-Blooded Murder Shocker in Hastings Flat
Darren Alderton, 51, was brutally murdered inside his Hastings flat on Magdalen Road. Police were called on April 8, 2021, over concerns for his welfare. What followed was a chilling discovery and a swift murder probe.
Man Arrested and Found Guilty
Seyed Iman Tabarhosseini, 38, from Dover, was arrested in London just days after Darren’s body was found. The unemployed man, charged with murder, faced an 11-day trial at Lewes Crown Court.
On November 25, a unanimous jury found Tabarhosseini guilty of Darren’s savage killing. The very next day, he was handed a hefty minimum sentence of 30 years behind bars.
Gruesome Crime Scene and CCTV Evidence
- Darren’s home revealed blood smears near the loft entrance in his kitchen.
- A blood-stained stone in the loft was later confirmed as the murder weapon.
- Post mortem reported fatal blunt force trauma to the head from multiple heavy blows.
- CCTV footage caught Tabarhosseini entering with Darren at 9:42am on April 6, just after their last phone calls.
- The killer was seen with bloodied clothes and latex gloves, carrying the stone used in the attack.
- He left the property carrying bags, changing clothes to evade capture.
Manhunt Unfolds: Taxi Driver Tells All
Tracking Tabarhosseini’s movements unveiled a sinister timeline:
- 3:30pm April 5: Leaves Dover home with bags seen later on CCTV.
- 10:50pm April 5: Checks into Hastings hotel, leaves early morning April 6.
- 12:48pm April 6: Leaves Darren’s flat, bloodied and suspicious.
- Disposes of evidence in multiple bins across Hastings, Rye, and Dover.
- Attempts to flee the country via Heathrow but fails.
- Returns to Hastings hotel, tries to dump more bags in charity bins.
The taxi driver who ferried Tabarhosseini described him as “incredibly agitated,” boasting about assaulting his drug dealer to steal money and drugs.
Justice Served – Detective’s Statement
“Seyed Iman Tabarhosseini killed Darren Alderton in a violent, sustained and pre-meditated attack,” said Detective Chief Inspector Emma Vickers. “He travelled with intent to confront Darren, steal drugs and money, and cause serious harm. He tried desperately to cover his tracks by changing clothes and dumping evidence across multiple locations.” “Even fleeing the country was on his mind, but our team’s relentless investigation—which relied on detailed CCTV and witness information—ensured he was caught and convicted.” “We thank the public for their support in bringing this dangerous offender to justice.”
The harrowing case highlights the power of modern forensics and witness collaboration in cracking violent crimes.
