Two Teenagers Convicted of Manslaughter After Luring Man to Beach
Two teenagers have been found guilty of killing a man they believed to be a paedophile by enticing him to a beach, where another teenager threw rocks at him. A 16-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy were convicted of the manslaughter of Alexander Cashford, 49, in Leysdown-on-Sea on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent on August 10 last year.
Court Proceedings and Acquittals
All three teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been on trial at Woolwich Crown Court accused of murdering Mr Cashford. However, they were acquitted of murder on Monday. A 16-year-old male had previously pleaded guilty to a secondary charge of manslaughter in connection with the incident.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the violent nature of the attack and the ages of those involved. Mr Cashford was chased and struck with rocks and a bottle before being discovered lying face down in mud at the beach location.
Details of the Incident
The teenagers lured Mr Cashford to the beach under false pretences, leading to a confrontation that escalated into fatal violence. The prosecution argued that the group targeted him based on their mistaken belief about his character, resulting in a tragic outcome.
This conviction highlights ongoing concerns about youth violence and vigilantism in communities across the UK. The legal process continues as sentencing for the convicted teenagers is pending, with further details expected to emerge in the coming weeks.
