Girl, 15, due in court charged with Katie Rough's murder

Katie Rough was found with serious injuries on Monday afternoon

A 15-year-old girl is due to appear in court later charged with the murder of seven-year-old Katie Rough.

The teenager was arrested after Katie was found seriously injured on a path leading to a playing field in the Woodthorpe area of York on Monday.

She has also been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, North Yorkshire Police said.

The girl is due to appear at York Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning.

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Katie was found by police after they were called to Alness Drive on Monday afternoon.

Witnesses described how Katie's mother, named locally as Alison Rough, fell to her knees in the street, crying and pleading for help after her daughter was injured.

Katie was taken to hospital after officers arrived at the scene but died a short time later.

'Terrible loss'

Flowers and cards were left near the field, including one that read: "Night night my darling princess Katie. Love nana and grandad."

A number of people paid tribute to Katie, a pupil at the city's Westfield Primary School.

Tracey Ralph, Katie's headteacher, said her death was a "terrible loss".

"Katie was a kind and thoughtful child who was well liked by both pupils and staff," she added.

Neighbours of the dead girl said she was a "really sweet" girl who could often been seen playing outside with friends.

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

A path leading to a playing field was cordoned off by police