Kayla Smith admits murdering 16-year-old Chloe Watson Dransfield

Kayla Smith, 18, changed her plea on the second day of her trial at Leeds Crown Court, the BBC reported. She had previously admitted manslaughter but denied murder.

Chloe Watson Dransfield was found wounded in Austhorpe, Leeds, in the early hours of 28 March and died in hospital shortly afterwards.

The prosecution said a fight between the two teenagers had been planned amid a feud over Blake Dowling, who had been romantically involved with both, the Yorkshire Evening Post reported. Chloe went to Smith’s home with Dowling before Smith stabbed her.

Dowling, 18, and Archie Rycroft, 20, are also charged with murder and manslaughter. Both denied the charges, and their trial continues. Prosecutor Mark McKone KC told jurors it was for them to decide whether the two had encouraged the violence and intended Chloe to suffer serious harm.

The judge said he would sentence Smith after the trial. He told her that murder carries a mandatory life sentence and that he would set the minimum term she must spend in custody.