Teenager admits takeaway killing of 17 year-old in Stokesley

Thomas Watson, 17, who for the first time can be identified, pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court yesterday to unlawfully killing Daniel James Crowther, also aged 17, on May 14.

Reporting restrictions on Watson were lifted after he admitted the charge and his case was adjourned for reports.

Daniel, a pupil at Stokesley School, was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough after he was punched outside a pizza takeaway, but was pronounced dead within hours.

Jonathan Sharp, prosecuting, told the court it would be the Crown’s case that he was the victim of an unprovoked assault.

Remanding Watson of Woodhouse Road, Guisborough in custody, the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC told him: “You appreciate that this is obviously a serious matter, it is inevitable that there will be a custodial sentence but as you know I need to have a report about you.”

He told the teenager he hoped that would be done by next month.

Flowers, photos and messages were left in College Square at the scene of the incident and a tribute site was set up on the social networking site Facebook after Daniel’s death.

Police also released a statement from his family saying: “Daniel meant the world to us. He was a lovely young man who had a bright future and the rest of his life to look forward to.”

“He was bright and popular with lots of friends who will be just as devastated as we are that his life has been cut so tragically short. The loss of Daniel has left a huge hole in our lives.”

Catherine Brooker, the head teacher at Stokesley School said: “He was a delightful boy with a ready smile. He was bright, kind, gentle-natured and held in great affection by his teachers and fellow students.”