A teenager who murdered a 12-year-old schoolboy in a random stabbing attack is due to be sentenced today, following a shocking case that has horrified the community. The 15-year-old defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty last month to killing Leo Ross, who was walking home from school in Birmingham on January 21, 2025.
Details of the random attack
Leo Ross was subjected to what senior police officers believe was a completely random and unprovoked assault. The teenager, who was 14 at the time of the attack, stabbed Leo in the stomach near the River Cole. The young victim later died in hospital despite emergency medical efforts.
Chilling deception by the perpetrator
In a disturbing twist, the teenage killer pretended to be a witness at the murder scene. He told police officers how he had supposedly stumbled across Leo lying fatally injured beside the river, claiming he had raised the alarm by alerting others. West Midlands Police revealed that the defendant "got a kick out of seeing the chaos he'd created" unfold around him.
The knife used in the fatal stabbing was later discovered to have been tossed into the nearby river by the perpetrator. Police inquiries confirmed this crucial detail during their investigation into the tragic incident.
Additional violent offenses admitted
The teenager has also admitted to two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent in the days leading up to Leo's murder. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the same day he killed Leo, relating to separate attacks on other victims. The defendant further admitted to possessing a bladed article on the day of the murder.
However, the teenager has denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm in October 2024 and assault by beating in December 2024 concerning two further victims. These charges have been ordered to lie on file by the court.
Pattern of violent behavior
Police investigations suggest the teen had previously hunted down and attacked several women in local parkland before the murder of Leo Ross. This pattern of violent behavior adds context to the random nature of the fatal stabbing that claimed the life of the innocent schoolboy.
Family tribute and sentencing hearing
Leo Ross was described by his family shortly after his death as an "amazing, kind, loving" boy. Police characterized him as a model student with an unblemished behavioral record, emphasizing that he had no connection whatsoever with his attacker.
The sentencing hearing is expected to last all day on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, with the defendant appearing before Mr Justice Choudhury KC. The court will consider the gravity of the murder alongside the multiple other violent offenses admitted by the teenager.
This case has highlighted concerns about youth violence and random attacks in communities, with the particularly chilling aspect of the perpetrator's deception adding to the tragedy of Leo Ross's senseless death.
