A 16-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a 49-year-old electrician on an Isle of Sheppey beach, in a case where the victim was falsely accused of being a paedophile.
Guilty plea entered at murder trial
Alexander Cashford, from Kent, was discovered with severe head and facial injuries on a beach in Leysdown-on-Sea on August 10. A murder trial is currently underway at Woolwich Crown Court involving three teenagers.
On Thursday, the 16-year-old male defendant, who cannot be named, admitted a secondary charge of manslaughter. However, he, along with a 16-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, continues to deny Mr Cashford's murder. The two younger co-defendants have also pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter charge.
The fatal encounter on the seafront
The court heard that events leading to the fatal attack began on August 8, when Mr Cashford met the teenage girl at an amusement arcade and gave her his phone number. Using the fake name 'Sienna', the trio then exchanged messages with him and arranged a meeting by the sea wall two days later.
On August 10, Mr Cashford met the girl as planned and the pair walked along the seafront. Unbeknownst to him, the two teenage boys followed closely behind. Prosecutors told jurors that the 16-year-old boy picked up an empty glass bottle during this time.
Disturbing video evidence presented in court
A critical piece of evidence is a video recording found on the 16-year-old boy's mobile phone, which the prosecution alleges was filmed by the girl. In the footage, she is heard shouting "f****** paedophile, I’m f****** 16" and "Get him".
The court was told the video shows the 16-year-old boy shouting while holding the glass bottle, before striking Mr Cashford on the back of the head and swinging it at his upper body. As the boys gave chase, Mr Cashford fell onto the stone floor.
Witnesses described the 16-year-old boy throwing large rocks at Mr Cashford’s "already seemingly lifeless body and head". After his arrest, prosecutors state the same boy shared footage of the assault with three contacts, accompanied by the caption: "f***** pedo (sic) up lol".
The trial at Woolwich Crown Court continues.
