Leeds woman, 18, pleads guilty to murder of 16-year-old rival
Kayla Smith, 18, admitted murdering 16-year-old Chloe Watson Dransfield during a planned fight over a boyfriend in Leeds, while two other suspects await trial.
An 18-year-old woman pleaded guilty to murder after stabbing 16-year-old Chloe Watson Dransfield to death during a pre-arranged fight over a young man in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The incident occurred on 28 March when Chloe travelled to Smith’s home with her boyfriend, Blake Dowling, and was attacked by Smith, who was later seen on video holding a knife.
Smith had originally pleaded guilty to manslaughter but changed her plea to murder on the second day of the trial at Leeds Crown Court. The judge, Mr Justice Cavanagh KC, indicated that a life sentence will be imposed, with a minimum term to be set later.
Two other men, 18-year-old Blake Dowling and 20-year-old Archie Rycroft, are also charged with murder and manslaughter. Both deny the charges and their trial will continue.
"Smith was jealous and obsessed over her son’s relationship with Chloe," Dowling’s mother told the court.
The prosecution said Smith had threatened to stab Chloe on the phone the night before and that a friend on FaceTime heard Smith say, "I'm gonna smash your head in… you better not be with no girls… Chloe better not be there," followed by a threat to stab her in the throat.
CCTV and door-bell footage showed Smith emerging from an annexe in her grandfather’s garden with a knife, after which she and Rycroft left the property and returned following the stabbing. Chloe, who was stabbed five times in the neck and back, bled to death after being taken to hospital.
"I’m gonna smash your head in… you better not be with no girls… Chloe better not be there," Smith was heard saying, according to the friend’s testimony.
Prosecutor Mark McKone KC described Rycroft’s involvement as walking with Smith to the fight, attempting to film the violence, and providing support, while alleging Dowling facilitated the attack by arranging transport for Chloe.
Smith’s grandfather, Geoff Smith, called an ambulance 37 minutes after the stabbing and performed CPR on Chloe before paramedics arrived.
When police arrested Smith and Rycroft, the prosecution said they were "laughing and joking" with friends and using nitrous oxide in front of officers. Both defendants have denied knowledge of the lethal intent.
The trial remains ongoing for the remaining defendants.