The quiet seaside town of Leysdown-on-Sea on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, has been shaken to its core after the violent death of Alexander Cashford, a 49-year-old man from Kent, on Sunday, August 10, 2025. The incident, which unfolded just after 7pm BST in the Warden Bay Road area near Jetty Road, has left residents and visitors alike reeling, as three children from London now face murder charges in connection with the killing.
According to multiple reports from BBC News, The Independent, and The Telegraph, police were called to the scene following a disturbance involving a small group of people. Alexander Cashford was found with multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, despite the efforts of the South East Coast Ambulance Service and the arrival of an air ambulance. The violence, said to have involved a glass bottle and rocks, is alleged to have been especially brutal, with some residents claiming Cashford was struck on the head with a large concrete slab.
The three suspects—a 16-year-old girl and two boys aged 14 and 15—were arrested soon after the incident. All three are from London and, according to The Independent, were believed to be on holiday in Kent at the time. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, the trio were charged with murder by joint venture. The following day, they appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court, accompanied by their parents, where they spoke only to confirm their names, addresses, and dates of birth. The 16-year-old and 14-year-old both cried during the hearing, while the 15-year-old looked down, rocking slightly. Other family members watched from the public gallery, underscoring the emotional weight of the proceedings.
The children have been remanded into youth detention accommodation and are scheduled to appear next at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday, August 14, 2025. Due to their ages, none of the accused can be named publicly. A 12-year-old girl, also from London, was arrested in Basildon, Essex, on Tuesday in connection with the incident and remains in custody as the investigation continues.
Kent Police have confirmed that a car was seized as part of their ongoing investigation. Specialist officers, including those with sniffer dogs, conducted extensive searches at the crime scene and in the surrounding areas, including a large clearing behind the beach and the Leysdown-on-Sea town centre near the arcade. On Monday and Tuesday, police cordons were in place, and the fire service was seen removing equipment as officers concluded their on-site investigation.
The details of the attack, as outlined during the court hearing, paint a harrowing picture. Dylan Bradshaw, prosecuting, told the court: “What we know is that Alexander Cashford, a 49-year-old male, shortly after 7pm on Sunday August 10, went to the beach area of Warden’s Bay. About an hour and five minutes later, he was pronounced dead – during that period, he was the subject of a violent assault.” The court also heard that the attack allegedly involved a glass bottle and rocks being thrown at Cashford, with residents further claiming he was hit on the head with a large concrete slab.
The response from the local community has been one of shock and disbelief. Leysdown-on-Sea is known as a tranquil seaside resort, and such violence is virtually unheard of in the area. One shopkeeper from Oasis Stores, located across the road from the incident, recounted how he rushed out to assist after his wife alerted him, thinking someone was having a heart attack. He noted that Cashford was “just here for holidays,” highlighting the randomness and tragedy of the event. Other locals described the situation as “shocking,” with many remarking that “nothing ever happens” in their usually peaceful town.
Kevin McKenna, the Member of Parliament for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, echoed these sentiments, stating he was “deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic incident.” His comments reflect the broader sense of unease now hanging over the community, as residents grapple with the reality that such a violent crime could occur in their midst.
Kent Police continue to appeal for witnesses and are urging anyone with information, CCTV, or dashcam footage to come forward. They have set up a major incident public portal and provided a dedicated phone number—01622 652006, quoting incident 10-1384—for people to report any details that could aid the investigation. Reports can also be made anonymously via Crimestoppers.
While the investigation is still in its early stages, the case has already brought to light several pressing concerns. The fact that the accused are all children has raised difficult questions about youth violence and the circumstances that could lead to such a tragedy. The suspects’ status as visitors to Kent, rather than local residents, has also prompted discussions about community safety during the busy summer season, when seaside towns like Leysdown-on-Sea see an influx of tourists and holidaymakers.
As the legal process unfolds, the families of both the victim and the accused face an agonizing wait for answers. The next court appearance at Maidstone Crown Court is expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding Cashford’s death and the events that led up to the fatal attack. In the meantime, the community continues to mourn the loss of Alexander Cashford, a man whose life was cut short in a place where such violence is almost unimaginable.
Detectives and local officials are determined to bring clarity and justice to this case. The hope is that anyone with knowledge of the incident will step forward, helping to ensure that all those responsible are held accountable and that the full truth comes to light.
For Leysdown-on-Sea, the events of August 10, 2025, will not soon be forgotten. The town now finds itself at the center of a national conversation about youth crime, safety, and the unpredictable nature of tragedy, even in the most peaceful of places.
