true crime

A teenager has been charged with the murder of seven-year-old Katie Rough.

At the end of last year, Paul and Alison Rough were celebrating their wedding, with their little girl Katie playing the special role of bridesmaid.

Now, just a few weeks later, the couple are grieving the loss of their seven-year-old daughter after she was found in a playing field fatally wounded on Monday afternoon.

Katie was discovered by her mother, 38, about 4.30pm, just minutes from the family’s home in a leafy cul-de-sac in suburban York, England, according to BBC News.

She was rushed to hospital but died of her injuries a short time later.

A 15-year-old girl was arrested soon afterwards and has since been charged with Katie’s murder, and the possession of an offensive weapon according to The Telegraph. The teenager is due to appear in court on Wednesday.

Police arrive at Katie's home in Alness Drive in York. Image via Getty
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The primary school student was found on a grassy path leading to a field she often played in behind the house.

Neighbours told The Sun they could hear Allison, 38, screaming “no, no, my little girl” as she dropped to her knees at the scene.

One, whose partner worked at the York District Hospital where Katie was taken, said she had been "stabbed".

“My partner was told by the nurse that treated her that she was stabbed twice," the unnamed woman told the newspaper.

"Katie’s family are devastated by this tragic event and have asked for their privacy to be respected at this extremely distressing time," a North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said on Monday evening.

"Police are appealing for witnesses who were in the area of Morrell Court, Belhouse Way, Osprey Close and Alness Drive between 3pm and 5pm on Monday and may have seen two girls, one aged 15-years-old and the other 7-years-old, to get in touch."

Tributes are flowing for the little girl whose name and photo were released today.

The photo of seven-year-old Katie shared by police. Image via North York Police
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Her grandparents were spotted laying a flowers nearby with a note reading: "Night night my darling princess Katie. Love nana and grandad."

Katie attended nearby Westfield Primary School.

The head teacher, Tracey Raph, remembered her as "a kind and thoughtful child who was well-liked by both pupils and staff."

"She was hardworking and showed a particular talent for creative writing," Raph told the BBC.

"All members of our school are being offered emotional support at this distressing time."

A 24-year-old neighbour of the Rough family, Christina Mercer, said:

"She was usually playing at the front in the garden or round the back of the house playing with some friends.

"She was lovely, really sweet, smiling, laughing, playing with her friends."