A seaside encounter turned tragically violent on August 10th, leaving Alexander Cashford, 49, dead in Leysdown-on-Sea, Kent. Three teenagers now stand accused of his murder, their trial unfolding at Woolwich Crown Court.
The events began with an online exchange. Mr. Cashford, posing as a younger man, initiated a conversation with a 16-year-old girl, known only as “Sienna,” complimenting her appearance. He inquired about her name and preferences, quickly escalating to suggestive remarks and an invitation for a meeting.
“Sienna” responded to his advances, claiming to be 30 years old herself and expressing an interest in champagne. She then proposed they meet at her parents’ empty home, requesting he bring alcohol. Mr. Cashford, unaware of the danger that awaited, agreed to the rendezvous.
He arrived at the seafront around 7 pm, anticipating a date. Just over an hour later, his life was brutally cut short. Witnesses would later describe a horrifying scene: a man lying motionless in the mud, relentlessly attacked.
A post-mortem examination revealed the extent of the violence. Mr. Cashford suffered injuries to his face and head, extensive bruising, and multiple fractured ribs that pierced his lung. The attack was not a spontaneous outburst, but a calculated assault.
Courtroom footage showed the two teenage boys pursuing Mr. Cashford along the promenade. The older boy struck him from behind with a bottle, initiating the brutal attack. The girl, filming the entire ordeal, can be heard shouting accusations – a chilling cry of “f*ing paedophile.”
Before his arrest, the older boy shared the video of the attack with others, adding a callous caption: “f* pedo (sic) up lol.” This act revealed a disturbing lack of remorse and a chilling sense of triumph.
Prosecutors argue that the three teenagers deliberately planned the attack, fueled by outrage over Mr. Cashford’s online interactions with “Sienna.” Each played a crucial role in the unfolding tragedy, transforming a chance encounter into a deadly confrontation.
The two boys followed Mr. Cashford and the girl for a significant distance – 850 meters – during which the older boy armed himself with the bottle used in the initial assault. Witnesses then observed him throwing large rocks at Mr. Cashford’s body, even after he appeared lifeless.
The girl’s involvement was equally disturbing. Her enthusiastic shouts, captured in the video, demonstrated her unwavering support for the violence. The prosecution contends that the video was intended as proof of their “successful hunt.”
All three teenagers maintain their innocence, pleading not guilty to the charge of murder. The trial continues, promising to reveal further details of this shocking and tragic event.
