Teenagers Sentenced for Manslaughter of Man on Kent Beach
Three teenagers have been sentenced for the manslaughter of Alexander Cashford, a man they believed to be a paedophile, on a beach in Kent.
A 16-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy were found guilty of manslaughter in relation to the death of 49-year-old Cashford in Leysdown-on-Sea, Kent, in August 2025. Another 16-year-old boy had previously pleaded guilty to the same charge.
The girl and the older boy each received seven years in custody, while the younger boy was sentenced to five years.
The court heard that the teenagers lured Cashford to the beach after he gave the girl his phone number during a chance encounter at an arcade two days prior to the incident.
"You decided to attack a man that none of you knew and two of you had never met," said Justice Cheema-Grubb during sentencing at the Old Bailey. "All he did was give a business card. He did not touch you. You could have thrown it away."
The judge described the killing as an "appalling incident and senseless loss of life."
The teenagers will serve half of their sentences in custody, with the remainder served on licence.
Details of the Attack
Prosecutors detailed that Cashford was chased and struck with rocks and a bottle before being found lying face down in the mud.
"This was a carefully pre-planned deliberate and violent attack on someone... who could not defend himself," said Natalie Smith from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). "Despite his best attempts to flee, he was relentlessly pursued and attacked, even when witnesses reported he was lying on the ground."
Cashford, an electrician, sustained more than 30 external injuries, the jury was told.
During sentencing, Cashford's parents described their son as "kind, friendly and compassionate" and expressed that they were "crushed" by his death, calling the killing "cruel, unnecessary and pointless."
Communication and Planning
Using the alias Sienna, the teenagers, who were on holiday at the time, exchanged approximately 75 messages with Cashford and arranged to meet him.
Defence counsel Danny Robinson KC stated that the text exchanges began as a "laugh" but might have evolved into an attempt to name and shame Cashford.
"It was a childish escapade that got out of hand," Robinson said.
Background and Defendants' Statements
The 16-year-old boy who pleaded guilty told the jury that the group had discussed giving Cashford a "slap" and believed police would not have acted had they reported his attempt to meet the girl.
He maintained that he believed his actions were justified.
Cashford had previous convictions including stalking and multiple driving offences. The stalking charge related to an incident in 2025 where he followed a young woman from her workplace to her home in Gillingham.
The court heard that the 16-year-old boy, who has ADHD and autism, "could not have had a harder start in life."
"There is no history of violence," said his defence lawyer, Danny Moore KC. "This event is one that the court is entitled to treat as completely out of character."
The younger boy, 14 at the time of the attack, was described by his defence lawyer Benjamin Newton KC as having "played a minor role". He did not arm himself and was not present or involved when missiles were thrown.
Evidence and Witness Accounts
The CPS stated that "key evidence" came from the defendants themselves, including video footage recorded by the girl showing the two boys launching the attack.
Jurors heard that the girl shouted "paedophile" at Cashford with "unwavering enthusiasm," though character references described her as "polite, caring, compassionate." She is also autistic and was unaware that a weapon was brought to the meeting, according to her defence.
Witnesses provided evidence, some of whom assisted Cashford after the attack. Others tracked the group and informed Kent Police, leading to swift arrests.
The witnesses also testified that the defendants appeared to be "gloating" following the attack, according to the CPS.
Legal Proceedings and Aftermath
The teenagers, who cannot be named due to their age, were initially charged with murder.
All three expressed remorse for their actions, their defence lawyers stated in court.
"Alexander Cashford's life was cut short following a vicious attack carried out by a group of teenagers who plotted to meet him under false pretences," said Detective Sergeant Alastair Worton. "The devastating outcome of the offenders' brutal actions that day has left a family grieving the loss of a loved one and young lives changed forever."
Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
