Three teenagers have been jailed after luring a man to a beach using a fake identity before attacking him in a violent assault that led to his death on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent.
The victims’ target, 49-year-old Alexander Cashford, was drawn to the area after the group used a false name to arrange a meeting by the sea wall on 10 August. He had earlier exchanged messages with one of the teenagers after giving her his phone number.
Footage released by the Crown Prosecution Service showed the group attacking him with bottles and rocks, while shouting abusive remarks and filming the incident. At one point, one of the boys could be heard calling him a “paedo”, while the girl shouted that she was 16.
During the incident, Cashford attempted to flee but was chased down the promenade by two of the teenagers, while the girl encouraged the attack and continued recording. He later collapsed during the assault before being attacked again.
He was pronounced dead at the scene just 68 minutes after meeting the group.
The three teenagers, whose identities cannot be revealed due to legal restrictions, were sentenced to a combined total of 19 years in detention. Two of the boys were convicted of manslaughter, while the third had previously admitted the offence. All three were found not guilty of murder.
Sentencing, the judge said the group could not claim they were influenced or manipulated, stating that the attack had been planned over several days. He described the incident as an “appalling” and senseless loss of life.
In a victim impact statement, Cashford’s parents said they would “never overcome or understand the trauma” caused by his death, describing him as having been taken in a “cruel and violent way”.
The court heard the group had exchanged around 75 messages with the victim, posing as a girl named “Sienna” before arranging the fatal meeting.
Prosecutors said the attack was deliberate and coordinated, with each teenager playing a role in what they described as a planned ambush that resulted in Cashford’s death.
