A 15-year-old boy accused of murdering schoolboy Leo Ross has been remanded in custodyfollowing a brief appearance at Birmingham Crown Court.
The teenager, who cannot be named due to his age, is charged with killing 12-year-old Leo, who died after being found with serious injuries near Scribers Lane in Hall Green on January 18. Leo was taken to hospital from The Shire Country Park but later died.
The youth, dressed in a grey tracksuit and white T-shirt, spoke only to confirm his name during the nine-minute hearing before Judge Melbourne Inman KC. No pleas were entered.
He is also facing four further charges: possession of a bladed article, assaulting a woman in October, and two counts of serious assault and one of assault in January.
Prosecutor Rachel Brand KC and defence barrister Alistair Webster KC confirmed the case remains on track for trial. The five-week hearing is expected to begin on June 23 at Coventry Crown Court.
Leo, a pupil at Christ Church Secondary Academy in Yardley Wood, was described by his family as “an amazing, kind, loving boy” who “was loved so much by everyone.”