A 16-year-old girl who shouted obscenities including 'f***ing paedophile' at an electrician shortly before he was fatally assaulted with rocks and a bottle will not be giving evidence in her ongoing murder trial, the court has been informed. The case centres on a tragic incident that unfolded last summer on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, where the girl was on holiday with two boys, aged 15 and 16.
Holiday Encounter Leads to Fatal Confrontation
The teenagers first met Alexander Cashford, a 49-year-old electrician, at an amusement arcade during their break. Mr Cashford provided the girl with his contact number, and subsequently, the group communicated with him using the pseudonym 'Sienna'. They arranged to meet by the sea wall two days later, on August 10.
Chase and Assault on the Seafront
As Mr Cashford walked along the seafront with the young girl, the 16-year-old boy followed them for approximately 850 metres. Allegedly, footage captured by his friend shows this boy catching up to the electrician and striking him across the back of the head with an empty glass bottle. Additionally, a witness reported seeing the same teenager hurling rocks at Mr Cashford's head while on the beach. The victim was later discovered deceased, having sustained multiple severe injuries.
In court, the 16-year-old boy has admitted to manslaughter but denies the charge of murder. Meanwhile, the 15-year-old boy and the girl both plead not guilty to murder and manslaughter.
Girl's Role and Vocal Allegations
During the incident, the 16-year-old girl was filmed screaming at Mr Cashford, with her shouts including phrases such as 'I'm f***ing 16, you f***ing paedophile', 'f***ing paedo', 'get him', and 'f***ing nonce'. Prosecutors have suggested that the girl aimed to expose Mr Cashford as a paedophile and intended to film any physical altercation that ensued.
Defence Arguments and Character References
Danny Robinson KC, representing the girl, announced that she would not be testifying in her defence. Instead, he presented character references from her parents and godmother as part of her case. Her father detailed that he had driven his daughter to stay with her grandparents at their holiday home in Leysdown-on-Sea, Kent, earlier that month. Relatives described the girl as respectful, considerate, and empathetic beyond her years, with her godmother asserting that the allegations were 'out of character to the girl I have known for many years'.
Detailed Account of the Attack
The court heard that the 16-year-old boy admitted to hitting Mr Cashford with a bottle, throwing a rock at him, and kicking him while he was on the ground after they chased him. When questioned about why he did not report Mr Cashford to the police after the initial contact, the boy stated, 'I felt police would not have done anything.'
Further testimony revealed that the boy and his 15-year-old co-defendant shared a 'fist bump' before assaulting Mr Cashford with a bottle and rocks described as 'cricket ball sized'. Under questioning by prosecutor Kate Blumgart KC, the boy acknowledged that they all considered it a 'good idea' to move away from the crowded promenade before attacking. He claimed he did not intend to cause serious injury, suggesting the bottle would only result in a 'bump', and expressed uncertainty about his actions during the chase.
Footage and Aftermath
Alleged footage from the incident shows a glass bottle being thrown at Mr Cashford's head. The boy admitted to sharing a video of the attack with three individuals, accompanied by the caption: 'f****d pedo up lol [sic].' The 15-year-old boy is scheduled to give evidence later in the week, as the trial continues to unfold with gripping details.
