THE FAMILY of a seven-year-old girl have said that they have been overwhelmed by the generosity of strangers, after a teenager appeared in court charged with her murder.

The brutal death of Katie Rough, described as a kind and thoughtful child, on a playing field in York has shocked the country. Prime Minister Theresa May joined Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in expressing her condolences to Katie’s family.

A 15-year-old girl has appeared at York Magistrates Court charged with her murder and with possession of an offensive weapon, a Stanley knife.

The defendant, who cannot be named, stood looking straight forward throughout the eight-minute hearing at York Magistrates' Court.

She was joined in the glass-fronted dock by two security guards and a youth offending team manager.

The girl, who who was wearing an oversized grey sweatshirt and has long brown hair, did not answer when asked her name and continued staring straight ahead. Her solicitor, Colin Byrne, answered questions about her identity on her behalf.

Members of her family sat on one side of the large Victorian courtroom out of sight of a large number of reporters on the other side.

Katie's grandparents were in court but it is not thought that her parents attended.

Chairman of the bench Brian Wood remanded the girl into secure accommodation and said the case would be heard by a judge at Leeds Crown Court on Friday.

Katie, who was described as a "kind and thoughtful child", was found on a track 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.

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".

He 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 was pronounced dead, police said. It is believed her throat had been cut and she had suffered cuts to her chest.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "I'm sure the whole House will join in heartfelt condolences to the family and friends (following) the tragic death of seven-year-old Katie Rough in York earlier this week.

"I think it's right we send condolences to her family."

Prime Minister Theresa May said: "I also join you in expressing condolences to the family and friends of little Katie, who died so tragically."

On Tuesday police carried out fresh searches of the field where she had been found in the Woodthorpe area of York.

The shocking nature of Katie's death has provoked an outpouring of grief and sympathy. Dozens of bunches of flowers have been left along the alley which leads from the quiet residential street to the field where Katie was found.

Candles and teddy bears were also among the tributes.

One message on the flowers said: "Rest in peace little angel. What a cruel way to take you. Thoughts to family and friends."

A gofundme site, under the name “In Memory of Princess Katie” has been set up for the family to help the family over the next few months.

The site, initiated up by Maggie Jackson, from York, stated: “The awful death of Katie, the little 7 year old girl has really shaken our community and really saddened me, I can’t stop thinking about what her mum and family will be going through. I don’t know if it’s too early to say this but I’d like to raise money to giver to her family to help them through this terrible time without any other worries.”

She added: “No mother should be going through what Katies mum is having to deal with…breaks my heart.”

Within a few hours, the site had raised hundreds of pounds, reaching £3,500 by 6pm yesterday.

Members of Katie Rough’s family thanked people for supporting them. One member of her family said: "Just wanted to once again say thanku to every1 who has donated the generosity of strangers is over whelming on behalf of my sister and the rest of the family thanku x."

Another said: "Just want to say on behalf of me and my family it hugely appreciated and we can not thank all enough for being so kind and supporting towards up! And a huge thank you to maggie jackson for starting this amazing idea."