A teenager who was accused of leading a 49-year-old man he alleged was a paedophile to a beach has admitted to manslaughter charges.
The victim, Alexander Cashford, an electrician from Kent, was discovered in a prone position in mud with severe head and facial injuries in Leysdown-on-Sea on the Isle of Sheppey on August 10. He was declared deceased at the scene. Three individuals, a 16-year-old girl and two boys aged 15 and 16, are currently being tried at Woolwich Crown Court for Mr. Cashford’s murder, a charge that all three have refuted.
The 16-year-old boy, whose identity is protected by law, confessed to a lesser charge of manslaughter on Thursday. Conversely, the 16-year-old girl and the 15-year-old boy denied any involvement in the manslaughter.
According to court records, Mr. Cashford had exchanged contact details with the girl on August 8 after meeting her at an amusement arcade. Using the alias Sienna, they communicated with Mr. Cashford and arranged to meet him near the sea wall on August 10.
Upon meeting the 16-year-old girl, Mr. Cashford walked along the seafront with her while the two teenage boys trailed behind. During the encounter, the 16-year-old boy reportedly grabbed an empty glass bottle.
A video found on the 16-year-old boy’s phone captured the girl shouting derogatory remarks towards Mr. Cashford, alleging him to be a paedophile, while instructing the boy to attack. The footage depicted the boy striking Mr. Cashford with the bottle on the head and upper body.
Witnesses testified that as the boys pursued Mr. Cashford, he stumbled onto the ground where the 16-year-old boy hurled large rocks at his motionless body and head.
After the incident, the 16-year-old boy purportedly shared video footage of the attack with three individuals, accompanied by a caption mocking the victim.
The trial is ongoing.