Teen jailed for murdering Joshua Ingram at Seaford Railway Station

A 17-year-old boy has been jailed for murdering another teenager at Seaford station, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

The boy, who was aged 16 at the time of the incident and cannot be named for legal reasons, was convicted on Wednesday 5 August following a trial at Hove Crown Court. 

He had also pleaded guilty to Manslaughter and Possession of a Bladed Article at a previous hearing.  

Today (2 October), at the same court, he was sentenced to life with a minimum of 14 years in custody. 

A 15-year-old boy who was also found guilty of Assisting an Offender, and a 17-year-old boy who had already pleaded guilty to the same charge, are also due to be sentenced today. 

The court heard that BTP and Sussex Police officers responded to reports of a stabbing at Seaford railway station at around 5pm on Wednesday 10 September 2025.  

Paramedics also attended, and 16-year-old Joshua Ingram was found seriously injured. Despite their best efforts, he was pronounced dead a short time later.  

The boy was arrested at his home in Seaford around 40 minutes later and was taken into custody.  

BTP detectives began investigating immediately, securing witness statements, forensically examining the boy's phone, and reviewing CCTV.  

Footage captured the moment the boy spotted Josh in Seaford town centre as he walked with a friend after finishing college. 

He ran across the road and followed Josh into the station, where he stabbed him rapidly twice from behind with a 19cm hunting knife before fleeing.   

Josh was completely blindsided and unaware of the boy's presence. He was critically injured and collapsed on the platform just moments later. His friend and a member of the public tried to help, but his injuries were too severe.  

On examining the suspect's phone, officers found WhatsApp group chat messages, which the two other convicted boys were also members of, showing that he and Josh knew each other, and that the suspect was irate over £25 he claimed Josh supposedly owed him for cannabis.  

In the group chat, the suspect boasted on numerous occasions saying he was going to harm Josh, writing 'Joshua Ingram will perish' and that he was 'ready to sit in a prison cell for 30 years over a £20 sheet'. 

Officers established that the killer dropped the knife and clothing in a bag to the 17-year-old boy at his home almost immediately after the incident.   

Around two hours later, the 17-year-old and 15-year-old went to try to dispose of the items but were met by passing Sussex Police officers and instead handed the bag to them, saying that the suspect had given it to them. 

BTP Detective Chief Inspector Paul Stanley, Senior Investigating Officer in the case, said: "Today’s sentencing is the conclusion of a deeply tragic case. Though we have seen justice served, there will be no celebration for Joshua Ingram’s family as they continue to mourn their devastating loss. 

“Joshua’s life was tragically cut short in an attack that can only be described as vicious and cowardly.  

"Our investigation proved that the defendant had messaged extensively about harming Joshua as a result of a petty debt for about £20 of cannabis. In court, he attempted to dismiss these messages as sheer bravado and fantasy. But following a chance meeting on that fateful day, he put his talk into action taking Joshua’s life from a singular blow with a large knife he routinely carried.

"I would like to thank my officers for their exceptional hard work and dedication on behalf of Joshua's family. I would also like to thank our colleagues at Sussex Police, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the local authority for their invaluable support."   

In a statement issued on the defendant’s conviction, Joshua’s family said: "Whilst today's verdict brings a measure of justice to our family, it will never bring Josh back and no sentence, however long, will ever replace the precious life that was stolen from him or heal the devastating loss to our family. 

“He was a kind-hearted lad; many would agree a cheeky chappie who touched the lives in so many ways of those who knew and loved him. 

"This isn't a day for celebration. It's a day for reflection as we remember Josh for the young man that he was and not for the way and reasons his life was ended. 

"We hope Josh's story serves as a reminder of the devasting consequences of knife crime.”