A third teenager has been named in connection with the murder of Chloe Watson Dransfield, 16, in Leeds. Blake Dowling, 18, is charged with her murder and is standing trial at Leeds Crown Court alongside two other defendants.
Chloe, from the village of Gomersal, died after being found with stab wounds in Kennerleigh Avenue, Austhorpe, Leeds, at around 6am on Saturday, March 28. Her death led to three teenagers being charged with murder.
Reporting restriction lifted
Kayla Smith, 18, of Kennerleigh Avenue, Austhorpe, and Archie Rycroft, 19, of Middleton Park Road, had already been named as two people suspected of murdering her. Dowling had not been named in court before because he was under the age of 18 and was protected by an order under the Youth and Rehabilitation Act.
However, he reached the age of 18 in August this year, making the order null and void, and he is now able to be named. The trial, being heard before Mr Justice Kavanagh KC, got underway at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday (November 10) and is expected to last four weeks.
Family tribute
After Chloe's death, her family said in various statements: "My beautiful princess Chloe. I cannot put into words how I feel that you are not here with me. You are my life, my world, my best friend and I know that I am yours. I cannot live without you - I need you."
"You are stunning, confident, loyal, honest and my family-oriented princess. When you walk into any room it lights up with your bubbly personality. There is so much I could say. There's a big hole in my heart that can never be filled."
"Your two sisters and big brother will always love and miss you to infinity. You will always and forever be in our hearts. Love Mum, Connor, Courtney and Cienna. Our family is utterly devastated by the loss of Chloe."
"We miss every single thing about her. She was beautiful, full of joy, and had a wonderfully cheeky personality."
"She embraced life with such happiness, and she had her whole future ahead of her. Chloe was loved by everyone who knew her, and the absence she leaves behind is immeasurable. We will miss her forever, she will never be forgotten. Love you always and forever Dad, Sacha, Reuben, Mia, Amelia, Grandma, Grandad and Uncle Jordan."
The trial continues at Leeds Crown Court.
