Youth charged with murder of 12-year-old Leo Ross and six counts of assault – The Independent

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A 14-year-old has been charged with the murder of Birmingham schoolboy Leo Ross, who was stabbed in the stomach in a country park.

West Midlands Police arrested the youth, who cannot be named because of his age, on Tuesday, around four hours after Leo, 12, suffered fatal injuries on a riverside path in the Hall Green area.

In a statement on Saturday, police said the boy was charged with murder, six counts of assault and possession of a bladed object.

The youth is accused of assaulting a woman on October 22 last year, aggravated assault on a woman on January 19 and January 20, assaulting a woman again on January 21 and assaulting two police officers on November 26.

The statement said: “We have charged a 14-year-old boy with the murder of Leo Ross, who died after being stabbed in Hall Green on Tuesday.

“The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday after being charged with Leo’s murder and possession of a bladed object this afternoon.

“Following a thorough investigation and review of all available evidence, we have also charged the 14-year-old boy with six additional assaults, none of which involved the use of a knife.”

Leo’s family said on Saturday: “We want everyone to know what an amazing, kind, loving boy Leo was.

“It wasn’t just Leo’s life that was taken, it was all of our lives.

“Leo will be truly missed by all of us. He was so much loved by all.

“The family would like to thank the school, the police and everyone involved in the investigation and supporting us at this terrible time.”

Leo, a pupil at Christ Church Secondary Academy, Church of England in Yardley Wood, is believed to have been walking home from school when he was stabbed.

Members of the public came to his aid and called an ambulance, but he died in hospital at around 7.30pm.

In a tribute Wednesday, Diane Henson, executive director at Leo’s school, described his death as a tragedy.

She said: “Leo was a vibrant and happy young man. He had very good friends who he absolutely adored and they adored him.

“He was just a wonderful and bright member of the school community. We support the children at school and open a condolence book with the permission of the family.

“Our thoughts are with Leo’s family and all his friends today.”