Teen admits murder in fatal stabbing over boyfriend

Leeds Crown Court heard that Kayla Smith, 18, pleaded guilty to murder after fatally stabbing 16-year-old Chloe Watson Dransfield during a planned confrontation on 28 March. The incident followed a dispute over Smith's boyfriend, 18-year-old Blake Dowling, who had been in on-off relationships with both teenagers. Dowling’s mother described Smith as “jealous and obsessed” about his relationship with Chloe.

Prosecutors said Smith and Dowling arranged the meeting at Smith’s home in Austhorpe, where Smith threatened to stab Chloe during a phone call. A friend who was on FaceTime with Chloe reported hearing Smith say she would “smash your head in” and later threaten to stab her in the throat.

CCTV and Ring doorbell footage presented in court showed Smith emerging from a summer house holding a knife and shouting, “Come on big girl,” before returning to the house with 20-year-old Archie Rycroft, who is accused of recording the attack. Chloe was stabbed five times in the neck and back and later died of her injuries.

Smith’s grandfather, Geoff Smith, was heard on video saying he would call the police, to which Smith replied, “You can’t ring the police, she’s dead.” He called an ambulance 37 minutes after the stabbing, and a neighbour performed CPR on the victim.

During their arrest, Smith and Rycroft were observed laughing and using nitrous oxide, according to prosecutor Mark McKone KC. Dowling and Rycroft both deny murder or manslaughter charges. The judge, Mr Justice Cavanagh KC, indicated that a life sentence will be considered, with a minimum term to be set after the trial concludes. The proceedings will continue for Dowling and Rycroft.