Family of schoolgirl, 16, who was stabbed to death in ‘row over a boy’ see three teenagers accused of murdering her for first time in court

The family of the 16-year-old girl, who was allegedly killed in a fight over a boy, saw the murder suspects for the first time on their way to court.

Grieving relatives of Chloe Watson sued Leeds Crown Court today after three teenagers accused of stabbing her to death appeared on prison video links.

Chloe Watson Dransfield was found unconscious outside a bungalow in a quiet suburb of the city shortly before 6am on Saturday morning.

The teenager, from Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, later died in hospital from stab wounds to his back.

Kayla Smith, 18, Archie Rycroft, 19, and an unnamed 17-year-old boy appeared in crown court for the first time after being charged with Chloe’s murder.

Family members, including Chloe’s weeping mother Addel Watson and uncle Christopher Watson, were taken to court by police liaison officers.

Smith, a self-employed beautician, Rycroft and friends and family of the unnamed 17-year-old were seated across the packed courtroom.

Chloe, who recently moved to university to study hair and beauty, is believed to have attended a party at Smith’s bungalow in Kennerleigh Avenue, Leeds’ Austhorpe area.

Kayla Smith (pictured), 18, appeared in court via video link today charged with murder.

Archie Rycroft (pictured), 19, also appeared in court via video link today charged with Chloe’s murder.

It is understood he texted a friend shortly before he was attacked, asking to be picked up.

He was found on the side of the road shortly before 6 a.m.

Smith, wearing a black jacket and white top, appeared on a video link from HMP New Hall women’s prison, where she is currently detained.

He spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

Rycroft appeared from HMP Doncaster, while the unnamed youth appeared from Wetherby young offenders’ institute.

In the short hearing, where no defense was entered, the three-week temporary hearing was planned to be held on November 10. The pre-trial hearing was held on May 1.

The court was also told that there was no need for a second autopsy for the victim, which would bring relief to his family.

The court heard a ‘significant’ amount of evidence related to mobile phones.

No application for bail has been made and each of the defendants will appear at Leeds Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on May 1.

Judge Guy Kearl, KC, Registrar of Leeds, told the defendants, all from Leeds: ‘You will appear before this court again on May 1.

‘For now, you will all remain in custody according to your age. This will conclude your hearing today.’

The online fundraising page set up by a relative claimed Chloe’s life was taken away ‘in an instant, because of a child’.

The post, sent by Chloe’s cousin Shantelle, read: ‘I am setting up a GoFundMe for my 16 year old cousin whose life sadly ended in tragedy.

‘The 16-year-old could not even reach the age of 18. Her whole life passed away in an instant because of one boy.

‘His mother is devastated as she left her two younger siblings behind and sadly they were killed.

‘I wanted to create a GoFundMe to give him the best send off possible. He didn’t deserve this, he was so full of life. ‘What an innocent and beautiful soul taken so quickly.’

In a tribute published by West Yorkshire Police, the teenager’s mother, Addel Watson, described her daughter as ‘my life, my world, my best friend’.

Officers were called to Kennerleigh Avenue, a quiet street of bungalows in the Leeds suburb of Austhorpe, at 5.55am on Saturday.

Wearing a black jacket and white top, Smith (pictured) appeared in a video link from HMP New Hall women’s prison, where she is currently detained

Rycroft (pictured) appeared from HMP Doncaster, while the unnamed youth appeared from Wetherby young offenders’ institute

The following statements were made by her siblings Connor, Courtney and Cienna: ‘My beautiful princess Chloe. I can’t put into words how I feel that you’re not here with me.

‘You are my life, my world, my best friend and I know I’m yours. I can’t live without you, I need you.

‘You are my stunning, confident, loyal, honest and family-oriented princess.

‘When you walk into any room you’ll light up with your bubbly personality. There’s so much I could say. There is a huge hole in my heart that can never be filled.

‘Your two sisters and brother will always love and miss you forever. You will always and forever be in our hearts. ‘I love my mom, Connor, Courtney and Cienna.’

Chloe’s father Mark Dransfield and her paternal family added: ‘Our family is absolutely devastated by the loss of Chloe.

‘We miss everything about him. She was beautiful, full of joy, and had an incredibly sassy personality.

‘He embraced life with such happiness that he had his whole future ahead of him.

‘Chloe was loved by everyone who knew her and the absence she leaves behind is immeasurable.

‘We will miss him forever, he will never be forgotten.’

The 18-year-old woman and the 17-year-old boy, who were arrested on suspicion of murder, were released on bail until the investigation continues.

Pink balloons will be released in memory of Chloe at Nibshaw Lane football ground in Cleckheaton tonight.

A Facebook post said: ‘Please join us as we come together to remember and celebrate Chloe’s life. Let’s fill the sky with pink balloons in his honor and show our love and support. Everybody is welcome.’