A deadly confrontation on a beach in England has ended with three teenagers convicted in the killing of a 49-year-old man they believed was a predator.
This week, a 16-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy were found guilty of manslaughter in connection with the death of Alexander Cashford, who was killed last August in Leysdown-on-Sea on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, according to the BBC. A second 16-year-old boy had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
All three teens were cleared of murder charges by a jury on Feb. 16, Sky News reported.
Prosecutors told Woolwich Crown Court that the situation began after the teenage girl met Cashford at an arcade, where he allegedly gave her his phone number. The teens later created a fake identity, using the name “Sienna,” to arrange a meeting with him at a beach.
According to The Independent, Cashford’s phone number was saved in one teen’s phone under a derogatory label suggesting they believed he was targeting minors.
During testimony, the 16-year-old boy who admitted to manslaughter said they planned to “slap” Cashford because they felt authorities would not take action, despite what they viewed as inappropriate contact with a teenage girl, the BBC reported.
When Cashford arrived at the beach, prosecutors said the two boys chased him and attacked him with rocks and a bottle, while the girl filmed the assault and shouted encouragement. The footage was later posted on social media and shown in court.
Cashford was discovered face-down in the mud with multiple serious injuries. He was pronounced dead about an hour after emergency crews arrived at the scene.
The three teenagers are scheduled to be sentenced in April.
