Closing summary
A 15-year-old boy has been sentenced to at least 13 years in custody for the murder of Leo Ross, 12, in Birmingham last year. Leo was stabbed in the stomach as he made his way home from his school in Yardley Wood on 21 January 2025 and later died in hospital. The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to the murder last month.
Delivering the sentence at Birmingham crown court on Tuesday, Justice Choudhury KC said the 15-year-old had been “engaged in a campaign of violence against several people” and Leo’s family were enduring a “living hell” now. “Leo was an innocent schoolboy, who was just on his way to meet a friend in the park … you stabbed Leo with a knife and left him to die. Leo was only 12 years old,” Choudhury said.
Defending the 15-year-old, Alistair Webster said the boy has “formidable mental health problems” and a “repeated history of hearing voices”. In mitigation, the barrister said the defendant had been diagnosed with childhood conduct disorder and ADHD, and had suicidal thoughts.
The killer still cannot be named for legal reasons, despite the judge indicating he was happy for the reporting restrictions to be lifted. Journalists will be able to publish his photo at 1pm tomorrow, subject to an appeal from Birmingham Children’s Trust. If successful, the ban on naming him will remain in place.
Speaking outside Birmingham crown court after the sentencing of her son’s killer, Leo Ross’s mother Rachel Fisher said the term imposed is a “joke”. She told the Press Association: “It’s a joke. Thirteen years is a complete and utter joke, and it’s just going to keep on happening and keep on happening until something’s done about it. These kids aren’t scared. They aren’t scared of the sentence. They’re not worried. The local authority and the police have got a lot to answer for.”
In a statement read by DI Joe Davenport from West Midlands Police outside Birmingham crown court following the sentencing, Leo Ross’s foster family, the Westons, said: “Today’s sentencing does not bring justice in the way our hearts long for. No sentence can ever undo or compensate the loss of Leo nor return him to us. Our family will live with this pain forever. Leo was taken from us for no reason in a senseless and unprovoked act of violence. He was deeply loved and should still be here, laughing, living, and sharing life with us.”
The killer, who was 14 at the time of the attack, previously admitted to two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent on the 19 and 20 January and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on 21 January 2025 in relation to separate attacks on other victims. He also admitted to having a bladed article on the day he killed Leo.
That’s all from the live blog today. Read our full court report here:
DI Joe Davenport, who spoke outside Birmingham crown court while Leo Ross’s foster mother held a picture of the youngster, said they welcome the sentence imposed on the killer.
He said:
This was a tragic and random act of violence which killed an innocent young boy.
We welcome the sentence of Leo’s attacker to life in prison. We will likely never know why he decided to attack Leo who was completely innocent.
We hope Leo’s family can take comfort in this even though nothing can bring him back.
