Three teenagers who created a fake online identity to lure a man to a Kent beach before launching a fatal attack that left him unconscious from rock throws and kicks have been convicted of manslaughter.
The two boys and one girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, arranged to meet Alexander Cashford after one of the group encountered him by chance in an arcade in Leysdown on 8 August 2025. The victim gave his phone number to the girl, prompting the teenagers to contact him using a fabricated profile called “Sienna.”
Messages sent by the group claimed the girl was 16 years old. The teenagers suggested Sienna meet Cashford in person, setting up an encounter two days after the initial arcade meeting. Within minutes of Cashford meeting the girl on 10 August, the two boys launched their pre-planned assault with one striking him over the head with a bottle.
The girl shouted “paedophile” and yelled “get him” as the victim attempted to flee onto the beach. Witnesses observed one boy throwing rocks at Cashford and kicking him, with the violence continuing even after he appeared unconscious on the ground.
Natalie Smith, Senior Crown Prosecutor from the Crown Prosecution Service, stated: “This was a carefully pre-planned deliberate and violent attack on someone who was not expecting it and who could not defend himself.”
Smith added: “He was first hit from behind with a bottle and despite his best attempts to flee, he was relentlessly pursued and attacked, even when witnesses reported he was lying on the ground.”
The prosecutor explained that immediately after obtaining Cashford’s mobile number, the teenagers sent messages attempting to arrange a meeting after dark. “They lured him to meet the girl, but it wasn’t just her who was waiting to meet him. All three defendants were ready, in the full knowledge that their plan was to attack Mr Cashford,” Smith stated.
Key evidence came from the defendants themselves, with the girl filming the start of the attack on video. Witnesses provided crucial testimony, with some going to Cashford’s aid whilst others tracked the group and reported their location, leading to swift arrests.
Witnesses also gave evidence about the defendants’ behaviour following the attack, describing how they appeared to be gloating about what had occurred.
One boy, aged 14 at the time of the attack and now 15, and the girl aged 16 were both convicted by a jury of manslaughter following a trial at Woolwich Crown Court. A second boy, aged 15 at the time and now 16, had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
All three defendants had denied murder charges. None can be named as they are all under the age of 18.
Smith concluded: “Their joint actions on that fateful evening led to Alexander Cashford’s death. His family now at least have the comfort of knowing that those responsible have been brought to justice.”
The three teenagers await sentencing at Woolwich Crown Court, with a date yet to be confirmed. The court will consider the ages of the defendants at the time of the offence alongside the premeditated nature of the attack and the extreme violence used against the victim.
