The man allegedly beaten to death on a Kent beach by three teenagers has been identified as Alexander Cashford, 49, a convicted stalker and prolific offender once described by police as a “one man crime wave”.
Mr Cashford died on Sunday 10 August following what police described as a violent assault in the Warden Bay Road area, close to a holiday caravan park. He suffered multiple serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 16-year-old girl and two boys, aged 14 and 15, all from London, have been charged with murder by joint enterprise and remanded into youth detention. They are due to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday 14 August.
Prosecutors told Medway Magistrates’ Court that the attack involved a glass bottle and rocks being thrown at the victim, with video evidence showing him being struck repeatedly while on the ground. A 12-year-old girl arrested in Basildon on Tuesday remains in custody.
Criminal history
Court records show that earlier this year Mr Cashford received a curfew and electronic tag after admitting stalking a young woman in Gillingham. He had followed her home from work and visited her address twice in the early hours of the morning, leaving a chocolate bar and a letter.
In 2015, he was jailed for three years and four months for a string of nearly 200 offences involving vehicle part theft, money laundering, and making off without payment, with police identifying more than 160 victims. Detective Constable Sarbjeet Khattoare described him at the time as a “one man crime wave”.
Ongoing investigation
Kent Police say the teenagers charged were believed to be on holiday in Kent at the time of the attack. The investigation continues, with officers appealing for witnesses or anyone with footage from the area around Warden Bay between 7pm and 8:15pm on Sunday to come forward.
