By james art 
A 14-year-old boy has been remanded in custody after appearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court accused of murdering schoolboy Leo Ross.
The teenager, who cannot be named due to his age, will appear at Birmingham Crown Court tomorrow.
The boy was also charged with possession of a bladed object and six counts of assault.
The teenager appeared wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, which he was asked to remove in the dock. He wore a black T-shirt during the brief hearing.
The 14-year-old boy was remanded in custody after appearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court
STEVEN ROGERSON
Leo Ross, 12, was stabbed in the stomach as he walked from school in the Hall Green area of Birmingham last Tuesday. He died in hospital that evening.
West Midlands Police arrested the boy four hours after the attack, which took place in a country park.
In court, the boy confirmed his name, giving his birthday and address.
The district judge ordered the teenager to return to Birmingham Magistrates’ Court sitting as a youth court on January 30 to hear two charges of assaulting police officers on November 26.
Leo Ross, 12, was stabbed in the stomach as he walked from school in the Hall Green area of Birmingham last Tuesday
WEST MIDLANDS POLICE
District Judge Wayne said: “You are charged with a number of matters, including murder, which by law must be heard by the Crown Court.
“You have been remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court tomorrow.”
The boy is also accused of assaulting a woman on October 22 last year, aggravated assault on a woman on January 19 and January 20 and again assaulting a woman on January 21.
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.
In a statement released over the weekend, Leo Ross’ family said: “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 during this terrible time.”