Teenager charged with murder of seven-year-old Katie Rough

A 15-year-old girl has been charged with the murder of a seven-year-old girl who was found on a playing field in York with fatal injuries.

Katie Rough died in hospital shortly after she was found on Monday afternoon. Her mother, Alison, reportedly rushed to the scene from her house in the city's Woodthorpe area, less than a mile away, and broke down in tears as she attempted to save her daughter's life.

A nearby resident said she was "in a state of great distress, crying and shouting out for her daughter".

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The teenager, who was arrested on Monday, is due to appear at York Magistrates Court this morning charged with murder and the possession of an offensive weapon.

Officers are appealing for witnesses.

A neighbour of the Roughs described Katie as a "lively angelic-looking little girl who loved to play out with her friends in front of their home".

They added: "She was a lovely, sweet, smiley little girl and the thought that this happened to her is heart-breaking. It's hard to believe."

Tracey Ralph, head teacher of Westfield Primary School, where Katie was a pupil, said: "Her death is a terrible loss which has deeply saddened our school community and we send our profound sympathies to her family."

North Yorkshire Police, who are conducting house-to-house enquiries, said: "Katie's family are devastated by this tragic event and have asked for their privacy to be respected at this extremely distressing time."