Murder accused girl was 'caring and gentle' - parents

A 16-year-old girl accused of murdering a man on a beach in Kent was caring and liked to help others, her parents have said.

Three teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, deny murdering Alexander Cashford, 49, in Leysdown-on-Sea on 10 August last year.

Woolwich Crown Court has heard that the teenagers branded Cashford a paedophile and planned to attack him after he met the girl by chance two days earlier and gave her his phone number.

Character references for the girl, who has chosen not to give evidence in her defence, were read out in court on Wednesday.

Cashford was chased and hit with rocks and a bottle before he was found lying face down in mud on the beach on the Isle of Sheppey, prosecutors have said.

Jurors were told that the girl shouted that he was a paedophile while filming the attack and showed "unwavering enthusiasm".

In a statement, the girl's parents described her as "polite, caring, compassionate", adding that she "likes to help others and hates to see anyone upset or treated unfairly".

They said that she had acted as a carer for her siblings, who have severe autism.

Another woman, who has known the defendant since she was three, described her as a "caring and thoughtful young girl", who played a significant role in caring for her siblings.

The woman said that the girl had helped her with her own children and had been patient, calm and supportive.

She said that the events described in the trial were "completely out of character", adding: "This incident does not reflect the girl I've known for most of her life."

An aunt said that the teenager was a "gentle, loving, beautiful soul… shy, polite and incredibly gentle".

She added: "This situation does not reflect the loving, responsible young person I know so well."

The trial continues.

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