The parents of three teenagers accused of murdering a 16-year-old girl in Leeds sobbed in court on Tuesday as they appeared before magistrates.

Chloe Watson Dransfield died after being found with stab wounds at Kennerleigh Avenue shortly before 6am on Saturday.

West Yorkshire Police have since charged three young people with her murder, who made a first appearance at Leeds Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning.

Kayla Smith, 18, Archie Rycroft, 19, and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named due to his age, are all charged with murder over Chloe’s death.

They appeared for the short hearing in grey, prison-issued tracksuits, flanked by security officers.

Family members of the defendants sat in the public gallery visibly upset as they were produced.

Smith and Rycroft were remanded back into custody, while the 17-year-old was remanded into secure accommodation until their next hearing at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday.

District Judge Mark Daley told them: “You are all charged with murder. That can only be tried at the crown court, and only the crown court can decide whether to grant you bail or not.

“Therefore there has to be a hearing at the crown court very soon. That will be on Thursday April 2.”

No pleas on the murder charges were indicated during the hearing.

Chloe, from Gomersal, was taken to hospital following the incident on Kennerleigh Avenue on Saturday morning but died shortly later.

Two further teenagers, an 18-year-old man and 17-year-old girl, have also been arrested on suspicion of murder and bailed pending further inquiries.

On Monday evening, Chloe’s father and other family members issued a tribute, saying they were “utterly devastated” and she would “never be forgotten”.

“We miss every single thing about her. She was beautiful, full of joy, and had a wonderfully cheeky personality,” they said.

“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.”

In a separate tribute, Chloe’s mother said she “cannot put into words” the loss of her “beautiful princess”.

“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.”

Flowers were laid in the quiet street of bungalows and scenes-of-crime officers in white protective clothing were seen going into one of the homes on Monday.