Leo Ross Murder: Teen Killer's Sentencing and Identity Shield Ahead of Court
The tragic case of 12-year-old Leo Ross, who was fatally stabbed in a random attack at The Shire Country Park in Hall Green on January 21 last year, continues to unfold as his teenage killer awaits sentencing. Leo succumbed to his injuries at Birmingham Children's Hospital hours after the assault, leaving a community in mourning and a family shattered by loss.
A Series of Brutal Attacks Preceded the Fatal Stabbing
West Midlands Police revealed that the 14-year-old perpetrator, who has since turned 15, carried out a spree of violence over three days in January last year. The attacks targeted vulnerable, lone individuals in Trittiford Mill Park, Hall Green, beginning on January 19 with an assault on an elderly woman. The teenager used her own walking stick to beat her before pushing her into a river, causing serious injury. He repeated this brutality against another woman on January 20.
On the same day as Leo's murder, the assailant attempted to attack a third elderly woman but was interrupted and fled. He then remained in the park, circling on his bike, seemingly hunting for another victim. Detective Inspector Joe Davenport stated, "He remained in the area of the park, circling around on his bike and it appears from the footage he was looking for another victim." Tragically, that victim was Leo Ross, walking home from school alone. The killer stabbed him once in the stomach, inflicting a catastrophic injury. Police confirmed there was no prior connection or dispute between Leo and the attacker, labelling it a completely random act.
Killer's Chilling Deception and Guilty Pleas
Following the stabbing, the teenager stayed at the scene and pretended to be a helpful witness, as captured on police bodycam footage. His identity and voice were obscured due to legal protections for juveniles. In the footage, he calmly told an officer, "I was riding. There's a... you know, because there's a mechanic shop up there. I was going to come through here cos that leads that way. This is when I seen him and then I seen this woman."
At Birmingham Crown Court on January 29, the unnamed teen pleaded guilty to:
- Murdering Leo Ross
- Causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a woman on January 19
- A similar charge involving another woman on January 20
- Assaulting a woman on January 21
- Possession of a bladed article on January 21
He denied two further assault charges from 2024, which will lie on file. Prosecutor Rachel Brand KC accepted the pleas to resolve the case.
Heartfelt Tributes from Leo's Family
Leo's birth mother, Rachel Fisher, paid emotional tribute, saying, "My son Leo was the sweetest, most kind-hearted boy. He didn't have a bad bone in his body. My baby's life was stolen for no reason whatsoever. My life will never be the same again without him." His foster family, the Westons, added, "Not a day goes by where we don’t think about Leo. His loss has impacted us deeply and his absence is felt constantly. Leo was the sweetest, kindest boy who put others before himself." They expressed hope for justice but noted that no outcome can restore Leo's life.
Police Insight into Motive and Behaviour
Detective Inspector Davenport described the killer as acting alone, with no apparent robbery motive. He suggested the teen enjoys violence and harming others, stating, "The only motive I can see is that he enjoys violence and enjoys harming other people and watching the results and consequences of his actions." Davenport emphasised that Leo was "in the wrong place at the wrong time," and the attacker saw an opportunity to strike. The killer's pattern of staying at crime scenes to watch the chaos he created was highlighted, with bodycam footage showing him loitering as if "enjoying it and getting a kick out of seeing the chaos."
Will the Killer's Identity Be Revealed?
Currently, the killer's identity is protected under Section 45 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 due to his age, preventing publication. Some social media users have called for him to be unmasked in the public interest. Mr Justice Choudhury will decide whether to lift these restrictions after reviewing evidence, expert reports, and media applications. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 10 at Birmingham Crown Court, where the judge's ruling on anonymity will be a key focus.
A year after the tragedy, Christ Church C of E Secondary Academy in Yardley, where Leo was a pupil, held a private memorial service to allow students to "reflect and remember Leo together." The community continues to grapple with the senseless loss of a young life, as legal proceedings move toward a conclusion.
