A teenager has been found guilty of murdering 16-year-old Joshua Ingram after fatally stabbing him at Seaford railway station in East Sussex in an attack sparked by a dispute over a suspected £25 cannabis debt. The 16-year-old defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was convicted of murder following a trial. He is due to be sentenced on 2 October 2026.
Fatal stabbing at Seaford station
British Transport Police said the teenager followed Joshua into Seaford station in September 2025 before carrying out the fatal attack. Detectives established the killing stemmed from a disagreement over an alleged £25 cannabis debt. During the trial, the defendant attempted to dismiss numerous messages he had sent about harming Joshua before the attack. However, investigators said the evidence showed he had repeatedly threatened the victim before a chance encounter on the day of the killing. Police said the teenager was carrying a large knife, which he routinely had in his possession, when he launched the fatal attack.
Family’s heartfelt tribute
Following Wednesday’s guilty verdict, Joshua’s family paid tribute to the much-loved teenager. They described him as:
“A kind-hearted, cheeky chappie” who had touched the lives of so many people who knew and loved him.
Detective condemns “vicious and cowardly” attack
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Stanley, the senior investigating officer, said:
“Joshua’s death was the result of a vicious and cowardly attack.”
He said detectives uncovered numerous messages sent by the defendant expressing his intention to harm Joshua in the lead-up to the murder. Det Ch Insp Stanley added:
“I can only hope that Joshua’s family and friends feel some small sense of justice today, though that can never compensate for their immeasurable loss.”
He also thanked the jury for their careful consideration of the evidence before returning a unanimous guilty verdict.
Sentencing in October
The teenager will remain in custody ahead of his sentencing hearing at a later date on 2 October 2026. British Transport Police said its thoughts remain with Joshua’s family and loved ones as they continue to come to terms with their devastating loss.
