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A Home Office forensic pathologist has told the jury at Leeds Crown Court that 16-year-old Chloe Watson Dransfield's fatal stab wound measured approximately 13cm from the skin's surface to its end point, and that the injury had not damaged a central pulmonary artery, the heart or the aorta, meaning the period for blood loss to become significant may have been longer than in other circumstances. Dr Robert Ainsworth gave evidence on Friday, 13 November 2026, on the fifth day of the trial of Blake Dowling, 18, and Archie Rycroft, 20, who both deny murder and manslaughter. Kayla Smith, 18, pleaded guilty to murder on Thursday, 12 November 2026. Daily Dazzling Dawn understands the medical evidence forms a critical part of the prosecution's case as the jury considers the actions of all parties in the minutes following the stabbing on Kennerleigh Avenue in Austhorpe, Leeds, on Saturday, 28 March 2026.
Dr Ainsworth told the court that the only significant injury Chloe sustained was a stab wound to her chest. He described the injury as a diagonal stab wound measuring 4.8cm in length on the skin's surface, with the upper inner end appearing possibly sharper and the lower outer end more squared. The wound tracked downwards for a length of 2cm before reaching the outer exterior of the chest wall.
The pathologist explained that the wound entered the lower chest cavity between the eighth, ninth and tenth ribs, producing a 5.5cm cut in the soft tissues of the chest wall. There was a small cut to the lower edge of the ninth rib and a scrape to the tenth rib. The blade passed through into the lower left of the chest cavity and then into the lower lobe of the left lung at the back, producing a 5cm entry wound. It tracked forwards slightly into the midline of the tissues for approximately 5cm and produced an exit incision on the left lower lobe. The total length of the wound from the skin's surface to its end point was approximately 13cm.
Dr Ainsworth told the jury that because the wound had entered the chest cavity, it could very quickly have caused collapse of the left lung. He explained that lungs are normally under pressure or tension, but if the chest cavity is breached, that tension is lost and can cause the lung to collapse. The wound also entered the tissues of the lower lobe of the left lung and damaged blood vessels, which could have resulted in blood loss.
Under questioning from prosecutor Mark McKone KC, Dr Ainsworth was asked whether it was possible to give an opinion on whether Chloe could have survived the injury had she received treatment within a certain period. The pathologist stated that this was a question best answered by medical physicians, but offered insight into the nature of the injury.
Dr Ainsworth said: "From years of experience and many cases involving this type of trauma, individuals are able to undertake some physical activity for a short period of time, given the nature of the part of body injured it could be a few minutes or longer before the body continues to fail. Some activity after is possible."
He added: "All I can say is the injury hadn't damaged a central pulmonary artery, the heart or the aorta, so it is possible that the period of blood loss or time frame for blood loss to become significant may have been longer than other circumstances if another larger vessel was damaged."
Dr Ainsworth told the court that the likeliest cause of death was blood loss resulting from the injury inflicted. He explained: "Over a progressive period of time, the injury will continue to bleed if untreated. As blood loss becomes significant her blood pressure would drop, her heart would have to work harder and the heart effectively fails and stops beating due to the volume of blood loss."
The pathologist noted that Chloe had suffered blood loss, but he was uncertain how much due to the treatment she received in hospital.
The court heard details of other injuries found during the post-mortem examination. On Chloe's neck, there was a horizontal stab wound measuring 1.7cm in length. Dr Ainsworth said the wound tracked forwards, slightly down and midline behind the left collarbone for an approximate depth of 4.5cm, ending in a short incision. He stated this was a very small defect to the left chest cavity just beneath the collarbone, and there was no associated vascular damage, meaning no major blood vessels were damaged.
Another injury was described as a small puncture wound measuring 0.6cm by 0.3cm, with the outer end possibly sharp and the inner end more squared. The wound penetrated backwards into underlying tissues for less than half a centimetre. Dr Ainsworth described this as a sharp injury but relatively superficial, possibly caused by the tip of a sharp instrument.
On Chloe's back, there was a 7.4cm diagonal incised wound. Dr Ainsworth described it as a cut produced by a sharp implement, relatively superficial but longer on the skin's surface than its depth. He confirmed this was what is known as a slashing injury. The court also heard there was patchy blood staining on Chloe's face, abdomen, back, both arms and thighs.
The trial continues before Mr Justice Cavanagh KC. The jury has previously heard evidence from forensic scientist Kate Steer regarding DNA findings and a recovered kitchen knife, as well as a detailed timeline of CCTV footage and phone records from the morning of 28 March 2026. Blake Dowling and Archie Rycroft both deny murder and manslaughter. Neither has been convicted of any offence. Kayla Smith remains in custody and will be sentenced following the conclusion of proceedings against her co-defendants.
Daily Dazzling Dawn notes that public commentary surrounding this case has included unverified allegations circulating on social media. These specific claims have not been verified in court proceedings and Daily Dazzling Dawn has not independently confirmed them.
