Kayla Smith, 18, has pleaded guilty to the murder of Chloe Watson Dransfield, 16, who was fatally stabbed during a pre-planned street fight over a boy. The plea was entered on the second day of her trial at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday, after she had initially admitted manslaughter but denied murder.
Chloe was stabbed in the early hours of 28th March after being brought to Smith's home by her boyfriend, Blake Dowling, 18. The court heard that Dowling had been in "on-off" relationships with both girls, and that the two would frequently argue over him. Dowling's mother described Smith as "jealous and obsessed" over her son's relationship with Chloe.
Details of the Confrontation
Prosecutors told the court that on the night of Chloe's death, she had been at Dowling's mother's house. Upon learning of this, Smith and Chloe argued over the phone and agreed to fight. Jurors heard that in the hours leading up to the confrontation, Smith repeatedly threatened to stab Chloe.
A friend of Chloe's who was on FaceTime with her that night stated she heard Dowling answering his phone and heard Smith screaming: "Blake, I'm gonna smash your head in... you better not be with no girls... Chloe better not be there." When Chloe confirmed she was present, the witness heard Smith say: "I'm gonna stab you in your throat". Dowling arranged a taxi to transport Chloe to Smith's home in the Austhorpe area of Leeds.
Footage Shows Attack
CCTV and Ring doorbell footage shown in court depicted Smith emerging from the summer house in her grandfather's garden, where she resided, carrying a knife. She could be heard shouting: "Come on big girl", before being seen fleeing back to the summer house with Rycroft following the stabbing. Chloe, who had been stabbed five times in the neck and back, bled to death.
CCTV footage captured at 5.12am, approximately one minute after the stabbing, shows Smith and Rycroft alongside Geoff Smith outside the summer house. Geoff Smith is heard saying "I'm ringing the police" to which Smith replies: "You can't ring the police, she's dead." Geoff Smith called for an ambulance 37 minutes after the stabbing, and was witnessed by a neighbour carrying out CPR on Chloe on the footpath. The court heard Chloe was conveyed by ambulance to hospital but was pronounced dead at 6.40am.
Trial Continues for Co-Defendants
The trial will continue for Smith's two co-defendants, Dowling and Archie Rycroft, 20, who followed Smith to the fight and is accused of filming it on his mobile phone. Both Dowling and Rycroft deny murder and manslaughter.
The judge, Mr Justice Cavanagh KC, stated that he would sentence Smith once the trial had concluded, warning her that the only sentence available for murder was life imprisonment, though he would need to determine the minimum term she must serve in custody. Upon their arrest, Smith and Rycroft were "laughing and joking" with two of their friends and using nitrous oxide in front of officers, Mr McKone said. Mr McKone said Dowling denied knowing that Chloe would be caused really serious harm, while Rycroft said he followed Smith out of curiosity and did not see that she had a knife. The trial continues.
