A TEENAGER has been charged with the murder of a schoolgirl who was stabbed to death while spending a day off school ill.

Ronald Pattinson, 18, was remanded in custody for a week by Newcastle magistrates charged over the death of Natalie Ruddick, 12.

Mr Pattinson, who lived near Natalie, had been questioned for three days by police investigating Natalie's death from multiple stab wounds on March 5.

Her body was discovered by her younger sister in a bedroom at the family home in Frosterley Place, on the New Mills estate, Newcastle.

Police, family and liaison officers are working with mother Dawn, 40, and father Michael, 42, and their children Claire, 16, twins Emma and Steven, 15 and twins Zoe and Christopher, six.

Neighbours said Natalie also had a 22-year-old brother, Michael, who lives away from home.

Pupils have continued to lay flowers at a shrine to Natalie at her school, All Saints College. Her classmates have organised a book of condolence in which pupils are writing their favourite memories of her.