Three teenagers have been charged with the murder of a man in Kent.

Kent Police were called to an incident in Leysdown-on-Sea, on the Isle of Sheppey, shortly after 7pm on Sunday.

Alexander Cashford, 49, from Kent , was found dead at the scene, having suffered multiple injuries.

He was allegedly assaulted following a"disturbance involving a small group of people", according to police.

A 16-year-old girl and two boys, aged 14 and 15, were arrested and taken into custody shortly after.

The three suspects, who were all from London, were charged with murder by joint venture on Tuesday.

They appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. The teenagers cannot be named for legal reasons.

The defendants were accompanied in the well of the court by their parents. Other family members were in the public gallery.

Prosecuting, Dylan Bradshaw said:"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 mins later, he was pronounced dead - during that period, he was the subject of a violent assault."

The 16-year-old and 14-year-old both cried during the hearing, while the 15-year-old looked at the floor, rocking slightly.

The girl and two boys have been remanded into youth detention accommodation to appear on Thursday at Maidstone Crown Court.

A 12-year-old girl was arrested on Tuesday in Basildon, Essex, in connection with the incident.

She remains in custody while enquiries continue.