- .Katie Rough, seven, died after she was 'stabbed twice' on Monday afternoon
- .A 15-year-old girl has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon
- .Little girl's relative's arrived at court this morning ahead of hearing
- .Friends have paid tribute to killed schoolgirl as 'kind, thoughtful and sweet'
A 15-year-old girl charged with murdering little Katie Rough - who died after she was stabbed on a playing field - has been remanded in secure accommodation.
Seven-year-old Katie was found with serious injuries following the shocking incident after she left primary school in York on Monday afternoon.
Katie's grandparents and other relatives arrived at York Magistrates' Court this morning, where the schoolgirl's alleged killer appeared, charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
The accused, who was flanked by two security guards and a youth offending team manager, stood in the centre of the glass fronted dock and said nothing during the eight-minute hearing.
She stared straight ahead as her solicitor answered questions about her name and address.
The girl, who was wearing an oversized grey sweatshirt and had long brown hair, will appear before Leeds Crown Court on Friday.
The death of seven-year-old Katie Rough (pictured) has caused shock in a quiet suburb of York
Katie's grandparents arrived at court today as her alleged killer appeared before magistrates
Grieving relatives of Katie arrived at court today before the teenager's first hearing
A prison van also arrived at the court ahead of the hearing this morning
Less than a fortnight before her killing, the little girl had been a bridesmaid at her mother's wedding to Paul Rough, Katie's father.
Katie has been described as a 'kind, thoughtful and sweet child' and was often seen by neighbours 'laughing and playing with her friends'.
Witnesses described how Katie's parents arrived at the scene soon after their daughter was found.
Katie's mother, Alison, 38, collapsed at the scene and cried: 'No, no, my little girl', witnesses said yesterday. Her husband was slumped against a wall in despair.
Mrs Rough is believed to have travelled to the scene by car. The semi-detached family home on the Foxwood estate is half a mile away.
Katie was put into an ambulance on a stretcher while wearing an oxygen mask. She later died in hospital.
Katie Rough was found bleeding to death around 90 minutes after she finished primary school at 3pm on Monday
The youngster was discovered in an alleyway in a suburb of the city and later died in hospital
Just two weeks ago, little Katie was a bridesmaid at her mother Alison's wedding (pictured)
Rob McCartney, 50, said he saw the young girl lying in the field near the quiet cul-de-sac and her mother running up the street 'shouting for help'.
Nearby resident Mr McCartney said: 'I spoke to her later, asked if she was OK and she said 'No, no, she's my little girl'.'
Katie was taken to hospital where she died, police said.
Katie's aunt Sarah Nockels, 37, said: 'We are all just absolutely devastated. We just need to be given time to grieve.'
Tracey Ralph, Katie's headteacher at Westfield Primary School, 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.
The area where Katie was found, which is less than a mile from the family home, was cordoned off on Tuesday while forensic officers examined the scene and mourners laid flowers in the street.
Flowers and a card have been left by the grandparents of the girl - calling Katie a 'princess'
Police have sealed off the area and a white tent has been erected where the child was found
An aerial photo shows the girl was found at the end of the alleyway on the edge of the field
One couple, believed to be the young girl's grandparents, left a bouquet with a card, which read: 'Night, night my darling princess Katie, love Nana and Grandad.'
Neighbour Connor Sinclair, 41, said: 'Katie was a really sweet girl, she always looked happy. She seemed very popular and had lots of friends, I'd see them playing in the street and square.'
Another neighbour described Katie as a 'quiet, shy and pleasant little girl.'
Mrs Rough's ex-husband Craig Smith said: 'Alison was an absolutely brilliant mother. Those kids meant everything to her. They were always well fed, had good clothes on their backs, and were well loved.
'She must be heartbroken. She doted on her kids all the time. They came first regardless. She had a big family but there was plenty of love to go around.
'She was a wonderful mother and always put them first.'
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