Three Teens Convicted of Manslaughter in Fatal Beach Luring

Three teenagers have been convicted of manslaughter in the death of a 49-year-old man they lured to a beach in Kent last summer, believing he posed a threat to young girls. The convictions came at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, following a trial that detailed a planned confrontation that escalated into a fatal assault on August 10 in Leysdown-on-Sea on the Isle of Sheppey.

Alexander Cashford died from injuries sustained during the attack, which involved two boys chasing and striking him with a bottle and rocks while a girl filmed the incident and shouted encouragement. A 16-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, who are now both 16, were found guilty of manslaughter. A second 16-year-old boy had previously pleaded guilty to the same charge. All three, who cannot be named due to their ages, were acquitted of murder charges. They are scheduled for sentencing in April.

Prosecutors described how the incident began on August 8, when Cashford approached the girl at a local amusement arcade and gave her his phone number on a business card bearing a false name. He claimed to be 30 years old. The teenagers, who were on holiday with their families, saved the number in one boy's phone under...