Teenager Named After Life Sentence for Murder of 12-Year-Old Boy in Birmingham
A teenage killer who launched a horrific knife attack on 12-year-old Leo Ross has been publicly named for the first time, following a judge's decision to lift reporting restrictions in the high-profile case.
Mr Justice Choudhury KC allowed Kian Moulton to be identified today, after the 15-year-old was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 13 years for murder yesterday.
Details of the Tragic Attack
Leo Ross was walking home from school in Birmingham on January 21 last year when he was stabbed to death in what authorities described as a "random attack" by Moulton, who was 14 at the time.
The fatal incident occurred on a riverside path in Shire Country Park, Hall Green. Leo was rushed to hospital but tragically succumbed to his injuries.
Moulton pleaded guilty to killing Leo at a hearing last month. The court heard disturbing details about his lack of remorse during police interviews, where he repeatedly said "no comment" when questioned about the murder and earlier assaults.
Pattern of Violence Revealed
The sentencing hearing revealed a chilling pattern of violence in the days leading up to Leo's murder. Moulton had:
- Tried to drown an 82-year-old woman
- Injured three women in separate attacks
- Stabbed Leo in the stomach during the fatal encounter
In addition to the murder charge, Moulton admitted:
- Two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent on January 19 and 20, 2025
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm on January 21, 2025
- Possession of a bladed article on the day he killed Leo
Judge's Reasoning for Naming the Killer
The courtroom was packed with members of Leo's family as the sentencing hearing proceeded on Tuesday afternoon. After media applications, Judge Choudhury ruled that public interest warranted identifying the killer.
"The defendant has pleaded guilty and falls to be sentenced for very serious crimes, including murder – the most serious of all," the judge stated.
He emphasized that the public would want to understand "what could have led a child to commit such acts."
Safety Concerns Addressed
Addressing concerns about Moulton's safety in the secure institution where he is detained, the judge noted that many incidents of violence recorded over the past year involved Moulton attacking others or himself.
He added that some other boys in the facility already know Moulton's identity, which "has not resulted in any attacks" on him.
The court also heard that Moulton denied two additional assault charges from October and December 2024, which were ordered to lie on file.
