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Kayla Smith, 18, has admitted murdering 16-year-old Chloe Watson Dransfield in a premeditated knife attack, yet a troubling question persists: why did 37 minutes pass before emergency services were contacted? Smith, of Kennerleigh Avenue in Austhorpe, Leeds, changed her plea to murder at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday, 12 November 2026. She had previously denied murder while admitting manslaughter. She now faces a mandatory life sentence for the fatal stabbing, which occurred at approximately 6am on Saturday, 28 March 2026.
The court heard that following the attack, Chloe was left bleeding in the street while Smith retreated to the annexe on her grandfather's property. Ring doorbell footage captured Smith emerging in her pyjamas, shouting "Come on big girl," with what prosecutors described as "something shiny" in her raised hand. A male voice could be heard laughing on the recording as Smith ran back towards her home, with co-defendant Archie Rycroft, 20, following closely behind.
Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that the delay in summoning help has become central to the prosecution's case. The court heard Smith was overheard telling her grandfather, Geoff Smith: "You can't ring the police, she's dead." It was not until approximately 37 minutes after the stabbing that an ambulance was finally called. By then, a dog walker had discovered Chloe lying in the street and a neighbour had begun CPR. One witness described approaching the scene: "She was frail... I remember thinking she would be cold. The girl's chest wasn't moving and I felt she was already dead." Another neighbour, Wayne Mallons, recalled being alerted by the distressed dog walker. He said: "He was doing chest compressions on the girl, she looked lifeless and looked like she had been there a long time." When paramedics arrived, it was too late. Chloe was pronounced dead at the scene.
The court heard that Smith's hostility towards Chloe had been building for months, driven by jealousy over Blake Dowling, 18, with whom both girls had been involved. Despite never having met in person, Smith had threatened to stab Chloe "around 20 times" previously, according to a friend of the victim who gave evidence via video interview. On the evening of 27 March, that threat became chillingly specific. The friend, who was on a FaceTime call with Chloe, heard Smith screaming down the phone: "Blake, I'm gonna smash your head in… you better not be with no girls… Chloe better not be there." When Chloe confirmed her presence, Smith allegedly stated: "I'm gonna stab you in your throat."
Jurors were shown text messages Smith sent in the early hours of 28 March. At 4.27am, she messaged Chloe: "Come catch this fade b**" – "fade" being slang for a fight. Chloe replied: "Okay sweet cheeks." Ten minutes later, Smith messaged a friend stating she was "stabbing her… on my nana's ashes." Dowling booked a taxi to transport Chloe to Smith's home, where the confrontation took place. The stabbing itself was not captured on camera, but its aftermath was. Smith was seen fleeing back towards the annexe, leaving Chloe fatally wounded in the street.
Mr Justice Cavanagh KC warned Smith that the only sentence available for murder is mandatory life imprisonment. He indicated he would determine the minimum term she must serve before being considered for release by the Parole Board once the trial of her co-defendants has concluded. Smith has been remanded in custody. The trial continues for Blake Dowling, 18, and Archie Rycroft, 20, of Middleton Park Road, who both deny charges of murder and manslaughter. The prosecution alleges Dowling played a pivotal role by booking the taxi that brought Chloe to the scene, knowing Smith intended to stab her. Rycroft is accused of supporting Smith by accompanying her to the fight and attempting to film the violence on his phone. Neither Dowling nor Rycroft has been convicted of any offence, and their cases remain before the jury.
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