Teen admits killing rival in Leeds after pre-planned fight

Leeds Crown Court heard that 18-year-old Kayla Smith stabbed 16-year-old Chloe Watson Dransfield to death after the two met at Smith's home in the early hours of 28 March. Smith, who had initially pleaded guilty to manslaughter, changed her plea to guilty of murder on the second day of the trial.

The judge, Mr Justice Cavanagh KC, indicated that a murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence and that a minimum term will be set after sentencing.

Prosecutors said the attack was pre-planned, noting that the girls had argued the previous evening and Smith had threatened to stab Watson. A friend who was on FaceTime with Watson reported hearing Smith say, \"Blake, I'm gonna smash your head in… you better not be with no girls… Chloe better not be there.\" When Watson arrived, the friend heard Smith say, \"I'm gonna stab you in your throat.\"

The court also heard that Watson's boyfriend, 18-year-old Blake Dowling, had been in relationships with both girls and was aware of the tension between them. Dowling booked a taxi that took Watson to Smith's house, an act prosecutors described as facilitating the violence.

Archie Rycroft, 20, is charged with murder for accompanying Smith to the fight and attempting to film the assault, while Dowling faces murder and manslaughter charges. Both deny the allegations.

CCTV and doorbell footage presented in court showed Smith emerging from an annexe in her grandfather's garden holding a knife.