Leysdown beach manslaughter case: Teenagers guilty over killing of Alexander Cashford

The Leysdown beach manslaughter case has concluded with three teenagers found guilty over the killing of Alexander Cashford, who was lured to a beach in Kent and fatally attacked.

A 16-year-old girl and two boys, aged 15 and 16, denied murdering the 49-year-old but were convicted of manslaughter following a trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

Leysdown beach manslaughter Case: What happened?

The court heard that Alexander Cashford was lured to a sea wall in Leysdown-on-Sea, on the Isle of Sheppey, on 10 August last year.

Two days earlier, Cashford had met the 16-year-old girl at an amusement arcade and given her his phone number. Using the alias “Sienna,” the teenagers messaged him and arranged to meet by the beach.

Prosecutors described the meeting as a deliberate setup. The group believed Cashford was a paedophile. However, no evidence was presented in court to support that allegation.

One of the boys, also 16, had already pleaded guilty to manslaughter before the trial began.

The fatal attack

According to evidence presented in court, Cashford was chased along the beach, struck with rocks and hit with a bottle.

A post-mortem examination revealed severe facial and head injuries, fractured ribs, and a punctured lung. He was later found lying face down in mud near the sea wall.

The court was told the teenagers had discussed giving him a “slap” beforehand. One boy said he believed police “wouldn’t have done anything” if they had reported their suspicions.

The 16-year-old girl filmed part of the chase, shouting “get him,” jurors heard. Footage of the attack was later shared with others after arrests were made.

Natalie Smith, senior crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, described it as: “A carefully pre-planned deliberate and violent attack on someone who was not expecting it and who could not defend himself.”

Court verdict and sentencing

The three teenagers were acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter.

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb told the court: “These verdicts will change their lives forever.”

Sentencing is scheduled for April.

Because of their ages, the teenagers cannot be publicly identified under UK law.

Legal context: Manslaughter vs Murder

Under UK law, manslaughter differs from murder in that it does not require proof of intent to kill. Courts assess factors such as premeditation, level of violence, and individual roles in the attack.

Community impact in Kent

The killing has raised concerns about vigilante-style confrontations and the influence of social media in escalating disputes.

Leysdown-on-Sea, a coastal resort area in Kent, has been deeply affected by the case. Local authorities continue to stress that suspected crimes should be reported to police rather than handled privately.