Birmingham boy, 15, accused of murdering 12-year-old schoolboy Leo Ross to stand trial next year
A teenager accused of murdering a 12-year-old schoolboy in a knife attack has been further remanded in custody after appearing in court by videolink.
The defendant, who was aged 14 when he is alleged to have stabbed and killed Leo Ross, has yet to enter pleas to charges of murder, three counts of assault, two counts of causing grievous bodily harm and one of unlawfully possessing a knife.
The now 15-year-old made a 20-minute appearance from a young offender institution before Judge Andrew Smith KC at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday.
The judge heard legal submissions from prosecution KC Rachel Brand and defence barrister Morgan Pirone, ahead of a proposed trial before a High Court judge on February 9.
Leo, who was walking home from school when he was stabbed in the stomach, died after being taken to hospital from a riverside path in Trittiford Mill Park, part of the Shire Country Park in Hall Green, on January 21 this year.
Adjourning the case against the defendant, who cannot be identified due to a court order, Judge Smith told the youth: “I am going to talk to you directly now.
“What you have heard being discussed is that your lawyers are going to seek to speak to you.
“At the moment your case is going to start as a trial in early February.”
