A 14-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of Leo Ross, 12, who was stabbed in the stomach while walking home from school in Birmingham.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been remanded into custody to appear at Birmingham magistrates court on Monday having been charged on Saturday, West Midlands police said.
Leo was found by a member of the public at about 3.40pm on Tuesday with a stab wound to his stomach, in a wooded area near a railway line that he walked through on his 10-minute journey home from school.
After being treated at the scene and taken to hospital, he died from his injuries at about 7.30pm.
The force said the 14-year-old boy had been charged with murder, six counts of assault and possession of a bladed article.
The youth is accused of assaulting a woman on 22 October last year, seriously assaulting a woman on 19 January and 20 January, again assaulting a woman on 21 January, and assaulting two police officers on 26 November.
The West Midlands police 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 can’t be named for legal reasons, has been remanded into custody to appear at Birmingham magistrates’ court on Monday, having been charged this afternoon with Leo’s murder and possession of a bladed article.
“As a result of 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.
“Not only has Leo’s life been taken, all of our lives have as well.
“Leo will be truly missed by all of us. He was loved so much by everyone.
“The family want to thank the school, the police and everyone involved in the investigation and supporting us all through this horrific time.”
Leo was a pupil at Christ Church, Church of England secondary academy in Yardley Wood.
In a tribute on Wednesday, Diane Henson, the executive headteacher at Leo’s school, described his death as a tragedy.
She said: “Leo was a lively and happy young man. He had many very good friends who he absolutely adored, and they adored him.
“He was just a lovely and bright member of the school community. We’re supporting the children at school and are opening a book of condolence with the family’s permission.
“Our thoughts are with Leo’s family and all his friends today.”
