Teenage Attacker's Three-Day Violence Spree Ends with Schoolboy Murder
A teenage thug who pushed an 82-year-old woman into a river and threatened to kill her days before murdering a 12-year-old boy at random has been described in court as embarking on a violent rampage against strangers. The 14-year-old attacker, who cannot be named for legal reasons, carried out a series of brutal assaults over three days in Birmingham's Trittiford Mill Park area.
Elderly Victims Targeted in Park Attacks
Opening the prosecution case at the boy's sentencing, Rachel Brand KC detailed the chilling attacks against elderly women that preceded the murder. On January 19, the defendant approached 82-year-old Valerie Mann from behind and pushed her forcefully into the River Cole and an adjacent ditch.
The teenager told his victim: "I tried to drown you, but now I'm going to kill you instead" before striking her multiple times with her own walking stick. When the injured woman expressed fear, the attacker responded: "I would like to get some help, but you will tell on me."
Ms. Mann sustained multiple bruises, a head laceration, broken nose, black eyes, fractured rib, and two broken fingers requiring surgical intervention. The following day, the same attacker targeted 72-year-old Christine Canty as she walked through the park, striking her from behind with an object before apologizing and fleeing the scene.
Murder of Innocent Schoolboy
The violent spree culminated on January 21 when the teenager ambushed 12-year-old Leo Ross in Hall Green's Trittiford Mill Park. Leo, described by his family as "funny, sweet and had not one aggressive bone in his body," was walking home from school when attacked.
The assailant delivered a single fatal stab wound to Leo's stomach before callously pretending to be a concerned witness, helping raise the alarm while paramedics treated the dying boy nearby. Police bodyworn camera footage captured the killer posing as an innocent bystander just feet from where emergency services worked to save Leo's life.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Last month at Birmingham Crown Court, the teenage defendant pleaded guilty to:
- Murder of Leo Ross
- Two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent
- One count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm
- One count of possessing a knife
Prosecutor Rachel Brand KC told the court that all attacks were random acts of violence against strangers in the park area. Leo Ross was a model student with an unblemished behavioral record who had no prior issues with other pupils at his school.
The elderly victims both suffered serious injuries requiring hospitalization and surgery. Ms. Canty told police in a witness statement: "I think this incident will make me feel nervous about going out alone. I feel emotional about what has happened."
The teenage killer is scheduled for sentencing later today following the court hearing that detailed his three-day rampage of violence against vulnerable members of the Birmingham community.
