{"id":1651,"date":"2026-02-10T16:01:54","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T16:01:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=1651"},"modified":"2026-02-10T16:01:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T16:01:54","slug":"teen-who-killed-12-year-old-leo-ross-sentenced-to-minimum-of-13-years-in-custody-live-updates-uk-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=1651","title":{"rendered":"Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates | UK news"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"liveblog-body\"><gu-island name=\"EnhancePinnedPost\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{}\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"pinned-post\" data-gu-marker=\"pinned-post\" data-component=\"pinned-post\" class=\"dcr-r5tmyr\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" name=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"dcr-11n52fl\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"collapsible-body\" class=\"dcr-1axsptg\">\n<article class=\"block dcr-1xlsn8h\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Killer, 15, sentenced to at least 13 years in custody<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Leo Ross\u2019s teenage killer will spend a <strong>minimum of 13 years behind bars<\/strong>, the judge has told the court.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He added:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Then it will be up to the parole board to determine if you can be released.<\/p>\n<p>You will be on licence for the rest of your life.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698b4e0e8f08674a81001281&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698b4e0e8f08674a81001281&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b4e0e8f08674a81001281#block-698b4e0e8f08674a81001281\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<p><label for=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" id=\"pinned-post-button\" class=\"dcr-zw7tgl\"><span id=\"svgminus\" class=\"dcr-yhdhkr\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M1 10.75v2.5h22v-2.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span id=\"svgplus\" class=\"dcr-yhdhkr\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"m10.8 13.2.425 9.8h1.525l.45-9.8 9.8-.45v-1.525l-9.8-.425-.45-9.8h-1.525l-.425 9.8-9.8.425v1.525z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><gu-island name=\"KeyEventsCarousel\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;keyEvents&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698b50548f08327a59cb14ff&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The judge in the case, &lt;strong&gt;Justice Choudhury KC&lt;\/strong&gt;, is now delivering his televised remarks following the handing down of the sentence.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;af26a898-d69f-43c7-b6e8-76523a3ae04e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Addressing the teenage killer, who still cannot be named for legal reasons, he says:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9fd476cf-0dc2-4c2c-b580-e7a8801adcd6&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;You are still a child. You were only 14-years-old at the time of these offences.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;But right-thinking people would struggle to comprehend that what you did \u2013 over the course of just three days in January last year \u2013 were the actions of a child.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5c4321f9-c91b-4275-b80a-f6589d657446&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He adds:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;05f40b7f-351f-476f-a3e9-4751ab967084&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Leo was an innocent schoolboy, who was just on his way to meet a friend in the park \u2026 you stabbed Leo with a knife and left him to die. Leo was only 12 years old.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The devastation you have caused to so many lives is hard to comprehend and for those who knew and loved Leo, almost too great to bare.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;You have robbed Leo of his life and his future.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;184b85be-6487-4475-84dc-acd7cd674ef5&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770737748000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.35\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770738125000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.42\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770738125000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.42\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.42&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Judge: 'You robbed Leo of his life and his future'&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 10 Feb 2026 10.59 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 10 Feb 2026 04.29 EST&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698b4e0e8f08674a81001281&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Leo Ross\u2019s teenage killer will spend a &lt;strong&gt;minimum of 13 years behind bars&lt;\/strong&gt;, the judge has told the court.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9550b589-22cc-4a66-ae6e-8185f1dd7d5e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He added:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a293b1ce-9da1-4224-a983-4e6a6331ce12&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Then it will be up to the parole board to determine if you can be released.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;You will be on licence for the rest of your life.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9dd3299c-69e0-44b6-9306-bad4b3f023d4&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:true,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770737166000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.26\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770737273000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.27\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770737273000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.27\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.27&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Killer, 15, sentenced to at least 13 years in custody&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 10 Feb 2026 10.59 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 10 Feb 2026 04.29 EST&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698b48fe8f08327a59cb149a&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Defence barrister &lt;strong&gt;Alistair Webster&lt;\/strong&gt; said the 15-year-old killer of Leo Ross has &lt;strong&gt;\u201cformidable mental health problems\u201d&lt;\/strong&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7504e216-8f90-45eb-88b8-ec9575d2436a&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Webster told the court that the teenager \u201cshows recurrent episode of self-harm\u201d and other \u201cbizarre\u201d behaviours.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2a576c44-d081-432a-a77c-341af3ee7efe&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In mitigation, the barrister said the defendant has been diagnosed with childhood conduct disorder and ADHD, and has previously had suicidal thoughts.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2d6aa72a-1372-49a5-9069-c00a51168232&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Webster added:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a229e5bb-4164-474e-8b05-af93fa32957d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;He has formidable mental health problems which present a picture which we can see is an alarming one.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;4653cf2b-f068-4166-abc7-87146a768b7d&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770735870000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.04\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770736068000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.07\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770736068000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.07\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.07&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Teenage killer has suffered from 'formidable mental health problems'&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 10 Feb 2026 10.59 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 10 Feb 2026 04.29 EST&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698b451f8f08291989449a01&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;We can bring you some more from the statement read out by Leo\u2019s mother, &lt;strong&gt;Rachel Fisher&lt;\/strong&gt;, &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates?page=with%3Ablock-698b410e8f08bd83f65b1d9e#block-698b410e8f08bd83f65b1d9e\\&quot;&gt;earlier&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;07870e97-de65-479d-993b-da52d7feddab&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;She told the court:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f93fd7e5-3408-4cf2-bf00-f7a1db80e682&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Everyone has lost the most beautiful little soul, for what? We won\u2019t ever know why such an innocent young boy, just walking home from school, minding his business, was robbed of his life for no reason whatsoever.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;His funeral was beautiful. The streets were lined by people paying their respects but it should never have happened.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;His life should have been just beginning but now he will never get to have his first job, his first car, get married or have his own children. &lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;I will never see my lovely boy get married or have a family of his own. I have lost everything I did have and would have with him.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Instead of seeing my son living and enjoying his life, all I have is memories and photos and seeing him in my dreams. A part of me left that day and I will never get that part of me back.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;061eb193-a79b-4746-9464-e9f3a80c053c&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770734879000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.47\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770735091000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.51\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770735091000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.51\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.51&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;'I have lost everything', Leo's mother tells the court&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 10 Feb 2026 10.59 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 10 Feb 2026 04.29 EST&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698b43828f082919894499e2&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The 15-year-old defendant is sitting in the dock, surrounded by four officers as he listens to the proceedings.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;533452e0-e985-4244-ad8d-edbf2dec330c&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Speaking directly to the teenage defendant, &lt;strong&gt;Christopher Ross&lt;\/strong&gt;, Leo\u2019s father, said: \u201cLook up man \u2026 You killed my son.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;22adb811-d9b6-4003-a0d4-386371911fc3&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;\u201cLeo was loved by everyone. Everyone said how special he was. He was the kindest little boy you could ever hope to meet.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7cfeac96-ad7f-4928-b730-009841740804&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;\u201cIt breaks my heart that I wasn\u2019t there to protect him.\u201d Ross said living life without Leo has been like a \u201cliving hell\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c9ed1014-4ddb-4fb6-96da-9a14d9daf1c1&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770734466000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.41\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770735204000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.53\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770734805000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.46\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.46&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Life since Leo was killed has been like a 'living hell', father says&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 10 Feb 2026 10.59 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 10 Feb 2026 04.29 EST&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698b410e8f08bd83f65b1d9e&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The court is now hearing victim impact statements. Leo\u2019s birth mother, &lt;strong&gt;Rachel Fisher&lt;\/strong&gt;, said: \u201cIt should never have happened. Leo\u2019s life should be just beginning.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;08281b02-e1c7-4f83-851c-18d76edea109&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;\u201cI\u2019ve lost everything I did have and would have with him, my firstborn child.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e18ed45b-68f9-4161-a964-29f4f8a3b9c3&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;\u201cIf love could\u2019ve saved Leo he would\u2019ve lived forever,\u201d she added in an emotional statement to the court.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;15d841d6-a72b-45e2-8abf-09de7e084efb&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770733838000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.30\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770734210000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.36\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770734171000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.36\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.36&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;'If love could've saved Leo he would've lived forever', mother says&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 10 Feb 2026 10.59 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 10 Feb 2026 04.29 EST&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698b2a1d8f08bd83f65b1c54&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Justice Choudhury KC has said the reporting restrictions around naming the defendant will stay in place for a further 24 hours to allow an appeal to be considered in the case.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8621804b-b733-4996-8cf3-30091868ce6c&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770727965000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;07.52\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770728329000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;07.58\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770728192000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;07.56\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;07.56&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Judge agrees to delay in lifting reporting restrictions to allow appeal&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 10 Feb 2026 10.59 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 10 Feb 2026 04.29 EST&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698b26b88f0882a0325f1d24&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;After considering applications from the press, Justice Choudhury KC has agreed with media submissions arguing for the teenage killer to be named. But the restriction has not been formally lifted so we cannot name the defendant yet. There is a possibility of an appeal from the defence.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f0947643-801e-4d57-925c-8e43d7e97ce0&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770727096000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;07.38\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770727251000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;07.40\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770727252000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;07.40\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;07.40&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Judge rules teenage killer can be named after press argued for lifting of anonymity&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 10 Feb 2026 10.59 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 10 Feb 2026 04.29 EST&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698b16488f08990461b841c9&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Defence lawyer &lt;strong&gt;Alistair Webster KC&lt;\/strong&gt; is arguing against the lifting of the reporting restriction. He told the court it was not in the public interest to name the defendant, adding there is significant risk to his rehabilitation if his identity is revealed.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;13526589-9f31-4732-8159-2b0c052b8eea&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;391d9cfd-36ac-48e4-a0c6-4e031a8fef32&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;These were shocking offences which have caused a great deal of sorrow and ongoing sense of loss to the families and victims involved.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;We recognise the public and the press will be very interested in how the court deals with the sentence and what the sentence is \u2026&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;But it is sometimes easy to confuse the public interest with an interest on behalf of the public.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d7b8818a-b1e2-4960-aea1-1b5e7b2b8eab&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;While accepting what the defendant \u201cdid was very wrong\u201d, the defence lawyer added: \u201cHe remains a human being and a young and vulnerable human being.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;573e1802-86a8-4456-a172-04982ccb11f0&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770722888000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;06.28\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770723583000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;06.39\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770723393000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;06.36\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;06.36&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Leo Ross's killer remains 'a young and vulnerable human being', defence lawyer says&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 10 Feb 2026 10.59 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 10 Feb 2026 04.29 EST&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698b10828f0882a0325f1c2a&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The sentencing hearing has begun. First, there will be technical arguments heard about the naming of the defendant, 15, whose identity has not been revealed due to legal restrictions around his age.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d77c2717-e551-4de8-a137-eb4cb41ba55c&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770721410000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;06.03\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770721820000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;06.10\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770721619000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;06.06\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;06.06&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Sentencing hearing at Birmingham Crown Court begins&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 10 Feb 2026 10.59 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 10 Feb 2026 04.29 EST&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698af2c38f084ca374ce42d0&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In a statement released after his death, Leo\u2019s foster family, the Westons, said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f73ed4e7-fe1e-48a2-a4ce-699ccfc80353&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Not a day goes by where we don\u2019t think about Leo. His loss has impacted us deeply and his absence is felt constantly.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Leo was the sweetest, kindest boy who put others before himself. He was loved by all that knew him, he made friends with everyone he met, young or old.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;He was wise beyond his years, full of knowledge and facts, full of life. A life cut short by a senseless act.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;We hope justice is served and we can get some closure, whatever the outcome, it still does not give Leo his life back, the life he truly deserved to live to its fullest.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9f6ab635-b67f-41af-a830-d7f272c1c8c6&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Leo\u2019s birth mother Rachel Fisher said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ffb40eb1-819a-46aa-85dd-61a6d6e1f99c&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;My son Leo was the sweetest, most kind-hearted boy. He didn\u2019t have a bad bone in his body.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;My baby\u2019s life was stolen for no reason what so ever. My life will never be the same again without him. He will be loved and missed forever.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b8a63062-6004-4c22-8307-2b209ddbbb06&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770715744000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.29\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770716502000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.41\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770716502000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.41\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;04.41&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Leo was 'the sweetest, kindest boy' whose life was 'cut short by a senseless act', family says&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 10 Feb 2026 10.59 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 10 Feb 2026 04.29 EST&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698aed058f084281367e8f43&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;A teenage boy who murdered 12-year-old schoolboy &lt;strong&gt;Leo Ross&lt;\/strong&gt; in &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk\/birmingham\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Birmingham&lt;\/a&gt; last year will be sentenced later today.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;63aa6041-3fac-42d7-84cd-b6827bde2333&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The hearing at Birmingham Crown Court is likely to last all day and will contain information readers may find distressing.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d0c614d6-e825-4ed6-a945-d3f64619d37d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;On 29 January 2026, a 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to murdering Leo by stabbing him in the stomach during a random attack in parkland.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ef97b2e1-3506-4e19-b19b-3f2641d7fe2f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Leo was thought to have been making his way home from his school, the Christ Church, Church of England Secondary Academy, in Yardley Wood, Birmingham, when he was stabbed on 21 January 2025.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;95719ccf-38e4-46ea-a110-1c91717dc90e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;His 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was walking home from school when he was stabbed.&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Leo was walking home from school when he was stabbed.&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Photograph: West Midlands Police\/PA&quot;}},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Police inquiries established that the knife used to kill Leo was thrown into a nearby river, and that the boy responsible, riding a bike, had previously attacked several women in local parkland.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;31b2698d-42a4-48b4-b8ab-8127b8e7dc29&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;An inquiry by West Midlands police also found that the killer opted to wait around to talk to officers at the murder scene, falsely claiming he had stumbled across Leo lying fatally injured beside the River Cole.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;4dc23c00-e542-460b-bb43-f4460edd9435&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;It emerged that Leo had no connection with his attacker and was killed in what senior officers believe was a random and unprovoked stabbing. The defendant is expected to appear in front of Justice Choudhury KC for sentencing.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9d69a805-c576-4381-8d44-5b43bf7148b6&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770715744000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.29\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770714985000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.16\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770715744000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.29\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;04.29&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Teenage boy who admitted murdering Leo Ross, 12, due to be sentenced today&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Tue 10 Feb 2026 10.59 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Tue 10 Feb 2026 04.29 EST&quot;}],&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;key-events-carousel-mobile&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;,&quot;serverTime&quot;:1770739313476}\"><span id=\"key-events-carousel-mobile\"\/><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"key-events-carousel\" class=\"dcr-1b9joha\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-1mdwrhd\">\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b50548f08327a59cb14ff#block-698b50548f08327a59cb14ff\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 0 of 12\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-10T15:42:05.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-us\" title=\"Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 10:42 AM Eastern Standard Time\">19m ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Judge: &#8216;You robbed Leo of his life and his future&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b4e0e8f08674a81001281#block-698b4e0e8f08674a81001281\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 1 of 12\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-10T15:27:53.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-us\" title=\"Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 10:27 AM Eastern Standard Time\">33m ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Killer, 15, sentenced to at least 13 years in custody<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b48fe8f08327a59cb149a#block-698b48fe8f08327a59cb149a\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 2 of 12\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-10T15:07:48.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-us\" title=\"Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 10:07 AM Eastern Standard Time\">53m ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Teenage killer has suffered from &#8216;formidable mental health problems&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b451f8f08291989449a01#block-698b451f8f08291989449a01\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 3 of 12\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-10T14:51:31.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-us\" title=\"Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 09:51 AM Eastern Standard Time\">1h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>&#8216;I have lost everything&#8217;, Leo&#8217;s mother tells the court<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b43828f082919894499e2#block-698b43828f082919894499e2\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 4 of 12\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-10T14:46:45.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-us\" title=\"Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 09:46 AM Eastern Standard Time\">1h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Life since Leo was killed has been like a &#8216;living hell&#8217;, father says<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b410e8f08bd83f65b1d9e#block-698b410e8f08bd83f65b1d9e\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 5 of 12\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-10T14:36:11.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-us\" title=\"Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 09:36 AM Eastern Standard Time\">1h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>&#8216;If love could&#8217;ve saved Leo he would&#8217;ve lived forever&#8217;, mother says<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b2a1d8f08bd83f65b1c54#block-698b2a1d8f08bd83f65b1c54\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 6 of 12\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-10T12:56:32.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-us\" title=\"Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 07:56 AM Eastern Standard Time\">3h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Judge agrees to delay in lifting reporting restrictions to allow appeal<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b26b88f0882a0325f1d24#block-698b26b88f0882a0325f1d24\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 7 of 12\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-10T12:40:52.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-us\" title=\"Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 07:40 AM Eastern Standard Time\">3h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Judge rules teenage killer can be named after press argued for lifting of anonymity<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b16488f08990461b841c9#block-698b16488f08990461b841c9\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 8 of 12\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-10T11:36:33.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-us\" title=\"Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 06:36 AM Eastern Standard Time\">4h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Leo Ross&#8217;s killer remains &#8216;a young and vulnerable human being&#8217;, defence lawyer says<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b10828f0882a0325f1c2a#block-698b10828f0882a0325f1c2a\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 9 of 12\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-10T11:06:59.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-us\" title=\"Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 06:06 AM Eastern Standard Time\">5h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Sentencing hearing at Birmingham Crown Court begins<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698af2c38f084ca374ce42d0#block-698af2c38f084ca374ce42d0\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 10 of 12\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-10T09:41:42.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-us\" title=\"Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 04:41 AM Eastern Standard Time\">6h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Leo was &#8216;the sweetest, kindest boy&#8217; whose life was &#8216;cut short by a senseless act&#8217;, family says<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-awhpi0\"><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698aed058f084281367e8f43#block-698aed058f084281367e8f43\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 11 of 12\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\">\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-02-10T09:29:04.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-us\" title=\"Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 04:29 AM Eastern Standard Time\">7h ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p>Teenage boy who admitted murdering Leo Ross, 12, due to be sentenced today<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-1vetsv0\"><button type=\"button\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-label=\"Move key events carousel backwards\" data-link-name=\"key event carousel left chevron\" class=\"dcr-160i9tk\"><span class=\"dcr-sy54ny\"\/><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M15.471 1 5 11.471v1.058L15.471 23l.982-.956L8.071 12l8.382-10.043z\"\/><\/svg><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-label=\"Move key events carousel forwards\" data-link-name=\"key event carousel right chevron\" class=\"dcr-eh80sr\"><span class=\"dcr-sy54ny\"\/><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"m8.482 1-.982.957L15.882 12 7.5 22.044l.982.956 10.471-10.471V11.47z\"\/><\/svg><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><gu-island name=\"FilterKeyEventsToggle\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;filter-toggle-mobile&quot;}\"><span id=\"filter-toggle-mobile\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-alru3r\"><label id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" data-component=\"filter-key-events\" data-link-name=\"filter-key-events-on\" class=\"dcr-rrspei\"><button id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch\" role=\"switch\" aria-checked=\"false\" aria-labelledby=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" class=\"dcr-dh5oqp\"\/>Show key events only<\/p>\n<p><span>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/label><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"block-698b554b8f08674a8100132c\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>The judge is now setting out his basis for sentencing, which as we heard earlier will see the teenager detained for a minimum of 13 years.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He says his mental state did not affect his actions and that he \u201cengaged in serious acts of violence against vulnerable individuals who were seen to be walking alone in the park\u201d.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Your actions in the park \u2026 did involve significant planning. Your attacks were not impulsive.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Judge Choudhury says he does consider there to have been \u201csignificant planning\u201d to the attack.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698b554b8f08674a8100132c&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698b554b8f08674a8100132c&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b554b8f08674a8100132c#block-698b554b8f08674a8100132c\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-698b54648f08674a81001319\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>The judge says the teenage killer had a difficult childhood, first exhibiting behavioural issues at the age of two.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>There is some suggestion in the report that you are young for your age.<\/p>\n<p>However, it seems to me that your actions around the time of your offending indicate quite sophisticated and callous thinking designed to throw people off your trail.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He adds that the killer acts \u201ceven the most basic insight\u201d into your actions and does not understand what \u201csorry\u201d means.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698b54648f08674a81001319&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698b54648f08674a81001319&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b54648f08674a81001319#block-698b54648f08674a81001319\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-698b53a38f08327a59cb153b\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>The judge says that the teenager rode around Shire Country Park, Hall Green in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk\/birmingham\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Birmingham<\/a>, looking for potential victims to attack at random.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In the days leading up to the murder, the killer assaulted several people, including elderly women.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said the defendant alerted people to what he had done to his victims by pretending he was an innocent bystander was part of a pattern in which he enjoyed \u201cwitnessing the havoc you have created\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">After his first attack on an 82-year-old woman, the defendant alerted a youth he knew to what had happened, telling them an elderly person had been \u201cbeat half to death\u201d in the park.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The judge said: \u201cThe savagery required to inflict such injuries to a defenceless elderly lady is hard to comprehend.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He added: \u201cYour description of beating a person half to death reveals you are very much aware of what you did and how serious it was.\u201d<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698b53a38f08327a59cb153b&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698b53a38f08327a59cb153b&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b53a38f08327a59cb153b#block-698b53a38f08327a59cb153b\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-698b51ff8f08674a810012c0\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Justice Choudhury goes on to describe <strong>Leo as a \u201clovely little boy who loved learning, collecting and exploring\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He says Leo was \u201cnormally a sweet boy with impeccable manners and a big heart&#8217;\u201d and reads out brief extracts from the victim statements we heard earlier, including from Leo\u2019s parents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The judge is now ruminating on the teenager\u2019s attack on an elderly lady, who he pushed into a ditch and attacked.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThe savagery required to attack such injuries\u201d had been \u201chard to imagine\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698b51ff8f08674a810012c0&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698b51ff8f08674a810012c0&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b51ff8f08674a810012c0#block-698b51ff8f08674a810012c0\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-698b50548f08327a59cb14ff\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Judge: &#8216;You robbed Leo of his life and his future&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The judge in the case, <strong>Justice Choudhury KC<\/strong>, is now delivering his televised remarks following the handing down of the sentence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Addressing the teenage killer, who still cannot be named for legal reasons, he says:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>You are still a child. You were only 14-years-old at the time of these offences.<\/p>\n<p>But right-thinking people would struggle to comprehend that what you did \u2013 over the course of just three days in January last year \u2013 were the actions of a child.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He adds:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Leo was an innocent schoolboy, who was just on his way to meet a friend in the park \u2026 you stabbed Leo with a knife and left him to die. Leo was only 12 years old.<\/p>\n<p>The devastation you have caused to so many lives is hard to comprehend and for those who knew and loved Leo, almost too great to bare.<\/p>\n<p>You have robbed Leo of his life and his future.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698b50548f08327a59cb14ff&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698b50548f08327a59cb14ff&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b50548f08327a59cb14ff#block-698b50548f08327a59cb14ff\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-698b4e0e8f08674a81001281\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Killer, 15, sentenced to at least 13 years in custody<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Leo Ross\u2019s teenage killer will spend a <strong>minimum of 13 years behind bars<\/strong>, the judge has told the court.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He added:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Then it will be up to the parole board to determine if you can be released.<\/p>\n<p>You will be on licence for the rest of your life.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698b4e0e8f08674a81001281&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698b4e0e8f08674a81001281&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b4e0e8f08674a81001281#block-698b4e0e8f08674a81001281\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-698b49c78f08327a59cb14a1\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Defending the 15-year-old, <strong>Alistair Webster<\/strong> said he has a <strong>\u201csevere\u201d conduct disorder<\/strong> which would have affected his ability to form a rational judgment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Webster said the defendant is not someone who \u201cclearly plans what he does\u201d and his actions had been \u201cinconsistent, odd and for no apparent reason\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>He has a repeated history of hearing voices. It did come as a surprise that he hasn\u2019t been diagnosed as schizophrenic. Perhaps he is too young for that.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He added that the defendant was \u201cin a far from normal and deteriorating mental state\u201d before he committed the offences.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698b49c78f08327a59cb14a1&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698b49c78f08327a59cb14a1&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b49c78f08327a59cb14a1#block-698b49c78f08327a59cb14a1\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-698b48fe8f08327a59cb149a\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Teenage killer has suffered from &#8216;formidable mental health problems&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Defence barrister <strong>Alistair Webster<\/strong> said the 15-year-old killer of Leo Ross has <strong>\u201cformidable mental health problems\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Webster told the court that the teenager \u201cshows recurrent episode of self-harm\u201d and other \u201cbizarre\u201d behaviours.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In mitigation, the barrister said the defendant has been diagnosed with childhood conduct disorder and ADHD, and has previously had suicidal thoughts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Webster added:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>He has formidable mental health problems which present a picture which we can see is an alarming one.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698b48fe8f08327a59cb149a&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698b48fe8f08327a59cb149a&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b48fe8f08327a59cb149a#block-698b48fe8f08327a59cb149a\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-698b47c48f08327a59cb1485\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In mitigation, the defendant\u2019s counsel <strong>Alistair Webster<\/strong> said it was impossible to give a reason why the 15-year-old had decided to kill <strong>Leo<\/strong> and attack vulnerable elderly women.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>The effect upon family, friends, is long-standing and significant and I want to make it clear nothing we will say should be seen as suggesting any of his victims were inviting what he did to them.<\/p>\n<p>[Leo\u2019s] mum and others want to know what lay behind the killing of Leo. It is, in reality, impossible to give a logical reason.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He added:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>His behaviour has been an appalling shock to his own family and left them, in turn, in torment. Many lives have been seriously adversely affected and of course, Leo\u2019s life was taken from him.<\/p>\n<p>He will, reflecting the serious nature of the offending, have to be detained for life.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698b47c48f08327a59cb1485&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698b47c48f08327a59cb1485&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b47c48f08327a59cb1485#block-698b47c48f08327a59cb1485\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-698b477f8f08674a8100121c\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The teenager who killed 12-year-old schoolboy <strong>Leo Ross<\/strong> wrote a note which said he was going to hold his \u201chands up\u201d about the stabbing, the court heard.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Prosecution KC <strong>Rachel Brand<\/strong> told the court that on 2 July last year, a member of staff at the secure children\u2019s home the defendant was living at found a handwritten note in his room.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The barrister read aloud the note, which said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>I\u2019m not going to lie, I will hold my hands up and say that I done it.<\/p>\n<p>I stabbed him, lower right stomach.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698b477f8f08674a8100121c&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698b477f8f08674a8100121c&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b477f8f08674a8100121c#block-698b477f8f08674a8100121c\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-10T15:04:42.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-us\" title=\"Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 10:04 AM Eastern Standard Time\">10.04 EST<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-698b451f8f08291989449a01\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">&#8216;I have lost everything&#8217;, Leo&#8217;s mother tells the court<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">We can bring you some more from the statement read out by Leo\u2019s mother, <strong>Rachel Fisher<\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates?page=with%3Ablock-698b410e8f08bd83f65b1d9e#block-698b410e8f08bd83f65b1d9e\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">earlier<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">She told the court:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg><em>Everyone has lost the most beautiful little soul, for what? We won\u2019t ever know why such an innocent young boy, just walking home from school, minding his business, was robbed of his life for no reason whatsoever.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>His funeral was beautiful. The streets were lined by people paying their respects but it should never have happened.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>His life should have been just beginning but now he will never get to have his first job, his first car, get married or have his own children. <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>I will never see my lovely boy get married or have a family of his own. I have lost everything I did have and would have with him.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Instead of seeing my son living and enjoying his life, all I have is memories and photos and seeing him in my dreams. A part of me left that day and I will never get that part of me back.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698b451f8f08291989449a01&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698b451f8f08291989449a01&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Teen who killed 12-year-old Leo Ross sentenced to minimum of 13 years in custody \u2013 live updates&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698b451f8f08291989449a01#block-698b451f8f08291989449a01\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<p><gu-island name=\"LiveBlogEpic\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;sectionId&quot;:&quot;uk-news&quot;,&quot;shouldHideReaderRevenue&quot;:false,&quot;tags&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;uk\/uk&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;UK news&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;uk\/birmingham&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Birmingham&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;type\/article&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Type&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Article&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tone\/minutebyminute&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tone&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Minute by 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href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/live\/2026\/feb\/10\/leo-ross-murder-birmingham-court-live-updates\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Killer, 15, sentenced to at least 13 years in custody Leo Ross\u2019s teenage killer will spend a minimum of 13 years behind bars, the judge has&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1652,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1651"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1651\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1652"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}