Teen in court charged with murdering boy, 12
A 14-year-old has appeared in court charged with the murder of a 12-year-old boy.
Leo Ross was found with stab wounds to the stomach near Scribers Lane in Hall Green, Birmingham, on Tuesday. He died in hospital that evening.
His family described him as "an amazing, kind and loving boy".
The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared earlier at Birmingham Magistrates' Court, which was sitting as a youth court.
He was charged with murder and three unconnected counts of assault alleged to have taken place on 19, 20 and 21 January.
The teenager also faces a further three charges of assault relating to alleged attacks on police officers on 26 November and on a woman on 22 October.
He was remanded into custody and the case was adjourned for a hearing at the city's crown court on Tuesday.
District Judge David Wain told the boy a mention hearing for two of the assault charges would be held at Birmingham Youth Court on Thursday.
Leo, a pupil at Christ Church C of E Secondary Academy in Yardley Wood, was believed to have been making his way home from school when he was stabbed.
Members of the public came to his aid and called emergency services but he died in hospital at about 19:30 GMT.
The 12-year-old was a "lively and happy young man" with "many, very good friends", executive head teacher Diane Henson said.
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