During a trial at Woolwich Crown Court, it was revealed that a teenage girl, who is 16 years old, along with two boys aged 15 and 16, are facing charges for the alleged murder of Alexander Cashford, 49, at Leysdown-on-Sea in Kent. The incident occurred on August 10 last year, where Mr. Cashford was found with severe head and facial injuries.
The prosecution claims that the trio deceived Mr. Cashford by using a fake name to lure him to the beach, where they physically assaulted him. The group was spotted near the promenade that evening, and Mr. Cashford met the 16-year-old girl on the seafront before the attack took place.
As the girl and Mr. Cashford walked along the promenade, the two boys followed behind. It was reported that the girl picked up a glass bottle during the walk, which was later used in the attack. A video recovered from the 16-year-old boy’s phone captured the girl shouting derogatory remarks at Mr. Cashford before the assault.
The footage showed the girl accusing Mr. Cashford of being a pedophile and inciting the boys to attack him. The 16-year-old boy was seen striking Mr. Cashford with the bottle, causing him to fall to the ground. Further, the girl can be heard encouraging the boys to continue the assault before the video abruptly ends.
Following the attack, the 16-year-old boy shared the video with others, referring to Mr. Cashford in a derogatory manner. The police were alerted to the incident by a witness, and CCTV footage showed the defendants leaving the area where Mr. Cashford was found.
The court also heard about the events leading up to the attack, where Mr. Cashford initially met the girl at an arcade. Messages exchanged between them suggested a plan to meet at the beach and go to an empty house. The communication indicated Mr. Cashford’s intentions, which were reciprocated by the girl.
Witness testimonies identified the girl as being present during the incident and shouting derogatory remarks towards Mr. Cashford. Another witness confirmed the sequence of events, including the younger boy tripping over Mr. Cashford during the altercation. The post-mortem examination revealed the extent of Mr. Cashford’s injuries.
Mr. Cashford suffered severe injuries, including multiple abrasions, cuts, and fractures, as a result of the assault. The court was informed that he had a history of health issues, including a previous heart attack. The teenagers have pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder, and the trial is ongoing.
The legal proceedings are still in progress.
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