City in shock over tragedy of ‘thoughtful and kind girl’
ARREST: TEENAGER QUESTIONED BY POLICE AFTER YOUNGSTER DIES
TRIBUTES WERE paid last night to a seven-year-old girl as detectives continued to question a teenager over the youngster’s death in a Yorkshire city.
Officers from North Yorkshire Police have confirmed the arrest of a 15-year-old girl over the death of Katie Rough in the Woodthorpe area of York.
She was held in custody last night as forensic experts continued investigations at the scene in York.
Tracey Ralph, head teacher of Westfield Primary School, where Katie was a pupil, said members of the school were being offered emotional support at this “distressing time”.
She said: “Katie was a kind and thoughtful child who was well-liked by both pupils and staff. She was hardworking and showed a particular talent for creative writing.
“Her death is a terrible loss which has deeply saddened our school community and we send our profound sympathies to her family.”
Jon Stonehouse, Director of Children, Education and Communities at City of York Council, added the events had “shocked” the whole city.
He said: “This tragic incident has shocked the city and the council on whose behalf I offer our profound condolences to Katie’s family at this extremely difficult and sad time.
“Her death has hit all who knew her very hard and we are providing specialist support to the school, as well as offering support to the school and the wider community.
“Ou neighbour enforcement officers are giving additional support to the police and are offering reassurance locally.”
Police are appealing for witnesses in Morrell Court, Belhouse Way, Osprey Close and Alness Drive between 3pm and 5pm on Monday and who saw two girls, one aged 15 and the other seven, to get in touch.
Katie, lived just a ten minute walk from the tragic scene in a semi-detached house with parents Alison, 38, and Paul Rough, 34, thought to have been married just after Christmas.
MOTHER WAS WEEPING FOR KATIE: PAGE 5