A man was allegedly lured to a beach and killed with rocks by three teenagers who accused him of being a paedophile, a court has been told.
The Fatal Encounter on Sheppey
Alexander Cashford, 49, met his three alleged attackers – a 16-year-old girl and two boys aged 15 and 16 – by chance in Leysdown-on-Sea, on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, on August 8 last year. The court heard he gave the girl his telephone number.
Over the next two days, the group contacted Mr Cashford using a mobile phone belonging to the 16-year-old boy. They used the fake name 'Sienna' to arrange a meeting by the sea wall on August 10.
A Brutal Attack by the Sea Wall
Prosecutor Kate Blumgart KC told Woolwich Crown Court that Mr Cashford was pronounced dead just 68 minutes after he met the group. Witnesses described seeing the 16-year-old boy throwing rocks at Mr Cashford while calling him 'a paedo'.
One witness described the first throw as 'like a lob', 'frantic' and with 'a lot of power around it'. Ms Blumgart said Mr Cashford was lying face down in the mud and did not react.
Another witness shouted at the youths after seeing a large rock being 'bounced' off Mr Cashford's head. The court heard the 16-year-old boy shouted back that 'he's a f****** paedophile', a statement echoed by the 16-year-old girl.
The rocks used were described as being 'around the size of a cereal bowl' and jagged.
Police Response and Ongoing Trial
Kent Police were called to the Warden Bay Road area after reports of an altercation. Mr Cashford was confirmed dead at the scene, having suffered multiple injuries.
Witnesses reported he had a very badly damaged nose, blood on the outside, and a 'ping pong ball sized lump' on the back of his head.
The three defendants, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are each charged with one count of murder. The 16-year-old girl and the 15-year-old boy are related. All three have entered not guilty pleas. The trial continues.
