Teenager on trial for murder at Seaford railway station
Joshua Ingram died in September 2025
Messages from a 16 year-old boy, accused of murdering a teenager, in the months leading up to the stabbing, are said to be a “mix of fantasy” and “lies” from an “immature young man trying to impress his friends”, his defence barrister has said.
The teenager is on trial at Hove Crown Court, charged with the murder of Joshua Ingram, who was fatally stabbed at Seaford railway station in East Sussex on September 10, 2025.
He is also accused, along with two youths aged 17 and 15, of conspiracy to cause GBH with intent.
The 15 year-old is also on trial charged with assisting an offender, which the 17 year-old has pleaded guilty to.
The prosecution allege the trio “plotted and planned” the stabbing attack over an unpaid £20 cannabis debt.
Addressing the jury after the prosecution opening, the youth defendant’s lawyer Colin Aylott KC said the principle issue between the prosecution and defence case is one of intent.
The youth has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but the prosecution asserts he is guilty of murder, alleging he intended to cause “really serious harm”.
The defence said their case is the 16 year-old only intended to cause “some harm”.
Evidence of the messages in the lead up to the attack, the prosecution allege, show his “true intent”, Mr Aylott said.
But he said: “The defence will assert a mix of fantasy, hyped up teen exaggeration or the straight out lies of an immature young man trying to impress his friends.”
The defence also disputes all the messages specifically relate to Joshua in the case.
Defence counsel for the 15 year-old youth also invited the jury to consider whether the messages were of “bravado” or “definite agreement” and asked for the messages to be seen in proper context.