Kayla Smith, 18, starts her life sentence today after pleading guilty to the murder of Chloe Watson Dransfield, 16, who she stabbed five times outside her home in Gomersal, West Yorkshire, in the early hours of March 28.
Smith's mugshot, released by West Yorkshire Police, shows her staring at the camera in a prison-issued grey sweatshirt. She had previously admitted manslaughter, but changed her plea to guilty of murder on the third day of proceedings at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday (November 12).
Plea and Co-Defendants
Her co-defendants, Blake Dowling, 18, and Archie Rycroft, 20, continue to contest charges of murder or manslaughter brought against them.
Chloe, from Gomersal, died after Smith stabbed her five times outside her home in Kennerleigh Avenue, with the fatal blow being one of two strikes to her back.
Dispute Over a Boy
The two young women had agreed to fight after an "obsessed" Smith demanded one following a dispute over her ex-boyfriend and Chloe's then-partner, Mr Dowling.
Both Mr Dowling and Mr Rycroft stand accused of egging Smith on. Footage captured Smith storming out of the home she shared with her grandfather, clad in her pyjamas and clutching the knife that would claim Chloe's life.
Remand and Sentencing
On Thursday, Smith was told she would be remanded into custody. No date has yet been set for the hearing, with The Honourable Mr Justice Cavanagh confirming she faces a life sentence, though he will need to determine the minimum term she must serve behind bars.
