Katie Rough: 16-year-old pleads guilty to killing seven-year-old girl

Katie Rough was found with lacerations to her neck and chest in a playing field in January this year

Katie Rough, described as a kind and thoughtful child, died in hospital late last year (North Yorkshire Police)

A 16-year-old girl has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of seven-year-old Katie Rough in York in January.

The teenage girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

Katie was found with severe lacerations to her neck and chest on a playing field in Woodthorpe, York, on 9 January this year.

She was found on a track after police were called to an address in Woodthorpe, and later died in hospital.

The seven-year-old was described as a “kind and thoughtful child” by her primary school headteacher.

The defendant entered her plea via video link at Leeds Crown Court on Monday.

She did not speak, but wrote her plea on a piece of paper, it was reported.

She denied a separate charge of murder.

Her solicitor told the court: “I can confirm she has indicated not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter.”

Graham Reeds QC, prosecuting, said: “We are going to accept that plea of manslaughter by diminished responsibility.”

More follows