A 12-YEAR-OLD girl who was taking a sick day from school was murdered when she caught her sister's boyfriend stealing £30 from the family home, a court heard yesterday.

Natalie Ruddick was stabbed 25 times in the face, neck and arm.

Ronald Pattinson, 18, who was dating her sister Claire, 16, arrived at the house and was let in by Natalie, who was at home alone, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

Paul Worsley, prosecuting, said Natalie was making Mr Pattinson a cup of tea in the kitchen when she spotted him trying to steal the cash from the living room.

Realising he had been spotted, he grabbed a knife and chased the youngster to her bedroom, where he carried out "the murderous attack".

Her body was left lying on the floor with her bed dumped on top of her, Mr Worsley said.

She was found by Claire and sister Emma, 15, when they returned later that afternoon.

The court heard how an ambulance arrived at the house on the New Mills estate, Arthur's Hill, Newcastle, at 3.30pm on March 5.

She was rushed to Newcastle General Hospital but was pronounced dead five minutes later.

Mr Worsley said that Mr Pattinson had been seen crouching in the family's garden soon after the attack.

A post-mortem examination revealed she died from stab wounds from a sharp instrument, probably a knife.

Mr Worsley said: "It is clear that Natalie put up a fight."

There was no sign of any sexual interference when police attended the scene at her home in Frosterly Place.

Natalie's family, with seven children, were very close, the court heard, and all the youngsters, apart from a 23-year-old brother, Michael, lived in the three-storey home.

Natalie also had a younger twin brother and sister, Christopher and Zoe, six, and a brother, Steven, who is Emma's 15-year-old twin.

Mr Pattinson, of Belsay Place, Arthur's Hill, Newcastle, denies murder.

The trial continues.