A 49-year-old man, Alexander Cashford, met a brutal end on a Kent beach last August, and three teenagers now stand accused of his murder at Woolwich Crown Court.
The events began with an online exchange. A 16-year-old girl, using the name “Sienna,” engaged Cashford in conversation, and he reportedly complimented her appearance. He misrepresented his age, claiming to be 30, and quickly steered the conversation towards romantic advances, even suggesting champagne and a kiss.
“Sienna” then proposed a meeting at her parents’ empty home, requesting that Cashford bring alcohol. He agreed, traveling to meet her on the seafront around 7 pm on August 10th. Little more than an hour later, his life was over.
Witnesses described a horrifying scene: Cashford lying motionless in the mud, repeatedly struck by rocks. The attack was not a spontaneous outburst, but a calculated act of violence.
A post-mortem examination revealed the extent of the injuries – facial and head wounds, bruising across his body, and critically, fractured ribs that punctured his lung. The prosecution alleges that two boys followed Cashford and “Sienna” along the promenade, escalating from a bottle attack to a relentless barrage of rocks.
Courtroom footage showed the two boys pursuing Cashford. Simultaneously, the girl filmed the encounter, her voice ringing out with accusations: “f*ing paedophile, I’m f*ing 16, get him.”
Before his arrest, the older boy shared video of the assault with others, accompanied by a chilling caption: “f* pedo (sic) up lol.” This act suggests a disturbing lack of remorse and a perverse sense of triumph.
The prosecution contends that the three teenagers deliberately planned the attack, fueled by outrage over Cashford’s online interactions with “Sienna.” Each defendant, they argue, played a crucial role in the unfolding tragedy.
The two boys pursued Cashford and the girl for a significant distance – 850 meters – during which the older boy armed himself with a bottle. Witnesses later saw him throwing large rocks at Cashford’s body, even after he appeared lifeless.
The girl’s involvement wasn’t passive. Her “unwavering enthusiasm” was audible in the video, the prosecutor stated, suggesting the trio intended the footage to serve 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 case.
