Three teenagers have been jailed for the manslaughter of 49-year-old Alexander Cashford, who was lured to a remote location and violently attacked after making inappropriate advances toward a schoolgirl.

The Crime and Investigation

The trio – a 16-year-old girl and two boys aged 15 and 14 at the time of the offense – were convicted of manslaughter following a trial at the Old Bailey. The attack took place near Leysdown-on-Sea in Essex, where Mr. Cashford was brutally assaulted and left to die.

Details of the Assault

The girl filmed the assault, which began when an older boy struck Mr. Cashford with a bottle. She then encouraged the attack as the group kicked and threw rocks at him, resulting in over 30 external injuries. The older boy admitted to planning to ‘hit’ Mr. Cashford, believing his pursuit of the 16-year-old girl was wrong.

Planning and Deception

The court heard that Mr. Cashford, who lived with his parents in Rainham, had been flattered by the girl’s attention. He had been communicating with what he believed was her, but the messages were actually sent from the older boy’s phone at the girl’s request.

The group meticulously planned the attack, choosing a dark location to avoid witnesses. Mr. Cashford also had a reason for meeting in the evening, as he was subject to a curfew due to a previous stalking conviction.

Sentencing and Aftermath

The older boy and the girl were each sentenced to seven years in custody, while the younger boy received a five-year sentence. Judge Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb described the incident as “appalling” and a “senseless loss of life.”

Concerns Raised

The case has sparked concerns about the influence of social media on youth violence and the dangers of vigilante justice. The prosecution emphasized that while Mr. Cashford’s behavior was “distasteful,” it did not justify the extreme violence he endured. The victim’s family described him as a lonely but harmless individual.