The family of a 16-year-old girl who was allegedly murdered in a ‘row over a boy’ saw her suspected killers for the first time as they attended court.
Grieving relatives of Chloe Watson filed into Leeds Crown Court today as three teenagers accused of stabbing her to death appeared over prison video-links.
Chloe Watson Dransfield was found unconscious outside a bungalow in an quiet suburb of the city shortly before 6am on Saturday morning.
The teenager, from Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, later died in hospital from knife wounds to her back.
Kayla Smith, 18, Archie Rycroft, 19, and a 17-year-old boy – who cannot be named – made their first appearance in the crown court after being charged with Chloe’s murder.
Members of Chloe’s family – including her tearful mother Addel Watson and uncle Christopher Watson – were guided into the court by police liaison officers.
Friends and family of self-employed beautician Smith, Rycroft and the unnamed 17-year-old sat across the packed courtroom.
Chloe, who had recently secured a college placement to study hair and beauty, is believed to have attended a party at Smith’s bungalow in Kennerleigh Avenue, the Austhorpe area of Leeds.
Chloe Watson Dransfield (pictured), from Gomersal, West Yorkshire, died on Saturday morning after suffering stab wounds
Kayla Smith, 18 (pictured), appeared in court via video-link today charged with murder
Archie Rycroft (pictured), 19, also appeared in court today via video-link charged with Chloe’s murder
Shortly before being attacked, she is understood to have had messaged a friend asking to be picked up.
She was found on the roadside shortly before 6am.
An online fundraising page set up by a relative claimed Chloe’s life had been taken away ‘in a flash over a boy’.
The post, by Chloe’s cousin Shantelle, said: ‘I’m setting up a GoFundMe for my 16 year old cousin whose life was sadly taken in tragedy.
’16 years young didn’t even make it to her 18th. Her whole life was taken in a flash over a boy.
‘Her mum is distraught she has left two younger siblings behind she was sadly murdered.
‘I wanted to create a GoFundMe to help give her the best send off possible. She didn’t deserve this, she was so full of life. Such an innocent, beautiful soul taken too soon.’
Smith, wearing a black jacket and white top, appeared over a video link from HMP New Hall women’s prison, where she is currently on remand.
She spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth.
Rycroft appeared from HMP Doncaster, while the unnamed teenager appeared from Wetherby young offender institute.
The brief hearing, in which no pleas were entered, scheduled a provisional three-week trial for November 10. A pre-trial hearing was set for May 1.
The court was also told a second post-mortem examination for the victim was not required, which would be a comfort to her family.
The court heard that a ‘significant’ amount of evidence relates to mobile phones.
No applications for bail were made and each defendant will next appear at Leeds Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on May 1.
The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Guy Kearl, KC, told the defendants, who are all from Leeds: ‘You will next come back before this court on May 1.
‘For the moment each of you will remain in custody, according to your age. That will conclude your hearing for today.’
In a tribute issued by West Yorkshire Police, the teenager’s mother Addel Watson described her daughter as ‘my life, my world, my best friend’.
Officers were called at 5.55am on Saturday to Kennerleigh Avenue, a quiet street of bungalows in the suburb of Austhorpe, Leeds
Smith (pictured), wearing a black jacket and white top, appeared over a video link from HMP New Hall women’s prison, where she is currently on remand
Rycroft (pictured) appeared from HMP Doncaster, while the unnamed teenager appeared from Wetherby young offender institute
The statement, also made by her siblings Connor, Courtney and Cienna, read: ‘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.’
Chloe’s father, Mark Dransfield, and her paternal family, added: ‘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.’
An 18-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy who were arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Pink balloons are set to be released in memory of Chloe at Nibshaw Lane football pitch in Cleckheaton tonight.
A Facebook post read: ‘Please join us as we come together to remember and celebrate Chloe’s life. Let’s fill the sky with pink balloons in her honour and show our love and support. Everyone is welcome.’
