The 15-year-old girl accused of the murder of seven-year-old Katie Rough has denied the charge. 

The teenager appeared before Leeds Crown Court this morning via a video link and wrote “not guilty” on the indictment. 

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC, set her trial for July 3 in the same court. It is expected to last for a fortnight. 

Katie was found seriously injured on a footpath in Woodthorpe on January 9 and died in hospital shortly afterwards. Her funeral was held at York Minster on Monday. 

Many members of her family were at court for the 25-minute hearing and were given special seats in court so that they could see and hear proceedings.

The teenager was also at Leeds Crown Court but did not go into the dock. Instead, because of her age, she appeared through a video link with a room elsewhere in the building. Her solicitor Colin Byrne sat beside her. 

She did not speak throughout the hearing, but indicated that she understood and responded to her name. 

During the hearing, Judge Collier, Graham Reeds QC for the prosecution and Nicholas Johnson QC for the defence discussed administrative matters and other issues involving evidence expected to be called at the trial, and the judge set a timetable to ensure that all will be ready on time. 

He also arranged two more hearings which the teenager is not expected to attend to deal with matters relating to the evidence.

At the end of today’s hearing, the judge remanded the 15-year-old to local authority accommodation, where she has been since she was arrested on the day Katie died.