Teenagers Found Guilty of Manslaughter in Kent Beach Killing
Two teenagers have been convicted of manslaughter after luring a man to a beach in Kent under the false belief he was a paedophile. The pair, a 16-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, were found guilty of killing Alexander Cashford, 49, in a violent attack that occurred on August 10 last year.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The incident took place in Leysdown-on-Sea on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent. The teenagers enticed Mr Cashford to the beach, where another teenager, a 16-year-old male who has already pleaded guilty to a secondary charge of manslaughter, threw rocks at him. Mr Cashford was chased, struck with rocks and a bottle, and was later discovered lying face down in mud.
Court Proceedings and Acquittals
All three teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, stood trial at Woolwich Crown Court, accused of murdering Mr Cashford. However, on Monday, they were acquitted of the murder charges. The court heard that the attack was motivated by a mistaken belief about Mr Cashford's character, leading to the manslaughter convictions for the two younger defendants.
The case has highlighted the dangers of vigilante actions and the severe consequences of violence based on unfounded accusations. The sentencing for the convicted teenagers is pending, while the 16-year-old male awaits his fate after his guilty plea.
