Three teenagers guilty of killing a man on a Kent beach

Three teenagers have been convicted of killing of a man on a beach in Kent.

The two boys and one girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were all on holiday when one of the group met Alexander Cashford by chance in an arcade in Leysdown on 8 August 2025.

He gave his phone number to the girl, and the group started to contact him using a fake name, Sienna. In one of the messages, the group said that the girl was 16.

The group suggested that Sienna meet up in person with Mr Cashford. Two days later and, within minutes of Mr Cashford meeting the girl he had met at the arcade, the two boys launched an attack on the victim encouraged by the girl, with one boy hitting him over the head with a bottle.

The victim tried to flee as the girl yelled that he was a “paedophile” and he was chased on to the beach, with the girl shouting to “get him”.

Witnesses saw one of the boys throwing rocks at Mr. Cashford and kicking him, which continued after he appeared to be unconscious.

Natalie Smith, Senior Crown Prosecutor from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “This was a carefully pre-planned deliberate and violent attack on someone who was not expecting it and who could not defend himself.

“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.

“Immediately after the group met Mr Cashford and got his mobile number, they sent him messages, trying to make the arrangements to meet him when it was 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. As he walked along, Mr Cashford had no idea that there was a plan to attack him.

“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.”

Building the case

Some of the key evidence in building this case came from the defendants themselves, with the girl shooting a video of the start of the attack. Other evidence came from witnesses, some of whom went to Alexander Cashford’s aid, while others tracked the group and reported where they were, leading to swift arrests.

They were also able to give evidence about the defendants’ behaviour following the attack, describing how they appeared to be gloating.