A TEENAGER accused of murdering seven-year-old Katie Rough has appeared before a judge at crown court.

The 15-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared via video link at Leeds Crown Court.

Katie was found with severe lacerations to her neck and chest on a playing field in York on Monday and died later in hospital.

The teenager was arrested after Katie was found injured and charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon - a knife.

The defendant, who appeared from a different room wearing a purple sweatshirt and black trousers, sat with a solicitor and did not speak during the five-minute hearing.

The solicitor confirmed her name when asked by the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC.

There was no application for bail and she was remanded into youth detention accommodation.

She will appear before the same court for a pre-trial preparation hearing on February 16.

Members of Katie's family attended the hearing and sat on the jury bench to listen to the proceedings.

Judge Collier and the barristers involved did not wear gowns and wigs due to the defendant's young age.

Earlier in the week, people living in the cul-de-sac next to where Katie was injured said her mother, Alison Rough, fell to her knees in the street, crying and pleading for help when she arrived at the scene.

Tracey Ralph, head teacher at Westfield Primary School where Katie was a pupil, paid tribute to the "kind and thoughtful child" who was well-liked by pupils and staff.

Ms Ralph said: "Her death is a terrible loss which has deeply saddened our school community and we send our profound sympathies to her family."

Dozens of bunches of flowers have been placed along an alleyway linking the field where Katie was found to Alness Drive, York, as well as teddies and candles.

Members of her family have thanked the organisers of an online donation site that has raised more than £19,500 since the seven-year-old was found dead.

One member of her family posted a message on the site which 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."

By Friday morning, more than 1,000 people had donated to the site.