In a chilling case of vigilante violence, three British teenagers have been accused of orchestrating a deadly trap for a man they believed was a predator. The trio, comprising a 16-year-old girl and two boys aged 15 and 16, are currently on trial at Woolwich Crown Court for the murder of 49-year-old Alexander Cashford.
The Fatal Encounter at the Seaside Arcade
The court heard that the incident began on August 10, 2025, in the seaside village of Leysdown-on-Sea on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. Mr. Cashford first met the female defendant at the Playtime Arcade on the promenade, where he gave her his number on a business card. Unbeknownst to him, the older boy immediately saved the contact in a phone under the name "Pedo."
Over the next two days, the boy, posing as a 16-year-old girl named "Sienna," exchanged approximately 75 messages with Cashford. The communication started with a message stating, "Hi it’s the girl from the arcade but to let you know I am 16 if u care about that kind of thing." Cashford, who claimed to be 30, replied with compliments and questions, expressing a desire to meet.
A Planned Ambush Turns Deadly
Prosecutor Kate Blumgart KC told the jury that the meeting was not by chance but a deliberate plan. Outraged by Cashford's interest in who they presented as an underage girl, the trio arranged to meet him by the seafront around 7 p.m. on August 10. Cashford arrived expecting to meet "Sienna," but was instead ambushed.
As Cashford and the girl walked along the promenade, the two boys followed. The 16-year-old boy struck Cashford on the back of the head with a bottle, initiating a vicious attack. Footage played in court showed the boys chasing the victim. The girl, who was filming, could be heard shouting, "f***ing paedophile, I’m f***ing 16, get him."
The assault culminated on the beach, where witnesses described seeing the defendants pelting large rocks at Cashford's head and body as he lay lifeless in the mud. The post-mortem examination revealed devastating injuries, including trauma to his face and head, widespread bruising, and fractured ribs that punctured his lung.
Digital Evidence and Denials
In a damning piece of evidence, the prosecution revealed that moments before his arrest, the older boy shared footage of the attack with three people, captioning it: "f***** pedo up lol." This act underscored the deliberate and callous nature of the crime.
Ms. Blumgart emphasized to the jury, "This was a joint attack with each of them playing a vital part." She detailed how the boys had followed the pair for about 850 meters, with the older one arming himself with the bottle used in the initial strike.
All three teenagers have pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder. Their trial, which began with hearings on January 14, 2026, continued on January 15.
