Youth accused of killing Leo Ross told his trial will not take place next week
The 15-year-old youth, who cannot be named because of his age, had been due to face a jury trial at Coventry Crown Court next week accused of murdering Leo, who was stabbed in the stomach on a riverside path in January.
The accused, wearing a T-shirt and jogging bottoms, spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood directions being made by High Court judge Mr Justice Wall during a 20-minute hearing in Coventry on Wednesday.
He was not asked to enter any pleas and was remanded in custody until a further mention hearing at the same court next month, with a provisional four-week trial re-fixed to start on February 9.
Leo, a pupil at the Christ Church, Church of England Secondary Academy in Yardley Wood, died after being taken to hospital from The Shire Country Park in Hall Green, where members of the public had summoned the emergency services.
Appearing in person after being brought to court from youth detention accommodation, the defendant is further charged with possessing a bladed article, assaulting a woman on October 22 last year, seriously assaulting a woman on January 19 and January 20, and assaulting a woman on January 21.
Adjourning the case after hearing submissions from prosecutor Rachel Brand KC and defence lawyer Alistair Webster KC, Mr Justice Wall allowed the youth to remain seated.
The judge said the delay was 'not the fault of anybody' and told the defendant a trial was not likely to take place until early next year.
The judge said: 'You are not going to be tried next week.
'It (the case) will next be back in court on the 28th of July for me to be given an update. We are going to find you a trial date as soon as we can. We will do it as soon as possible.'
In a statement issued shortly after his death, Leo's family said: 'We want everyone to know what an amazing, kind, loving boy Leo was.
'Not only has Leo's life been taken, all of our lives have as well. Leo will be truly missed by all of us. He was loved so much by everyone.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
21 minutes ago
- The Independent
How people in Epping reacted to closure of migrant hotel
Locals in Epping have welcomed an injunction to block asylum seekers from being housed at a nearby hotel, but raised concerns the decision would only 'kick the can down the road'. Epping Forest District Council was granted a temporary High Court injunction on Tuesday blocking asylum seekers from being housed at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex. Several protests and counter-protests have been held in the town since Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a then-resident at the hotel, was charged with trying to kiss a teenage girl, which he denies. Following the decision on Tuesday, a crowd of about a dozen people gathered outside the hotel brandishing flags, shouting 'We've won' and popping sparkling wine, while passing traffic honked their horns at them. A few police cars were parked nearby with officers standing outside the hotel, which is fenced in. Other residents gave a mixed reaction to the injunction, with some saying they were glad to 'see it gone'. But others cited concerns about where the asylum seekers currently housed inside the hotel would be moved to in light of the court's decision. Callum Barker, 21, a construction worker who lives next to the hotel, was handing out leaflets at the protest including the names of three men staying at the Bell Hotel who are alleged to have committed criminal offences. He said he was in favour of the injunction. Mr Barker told the PA news agency: 'Our community's in danger and we don't want these people here. 'I'm ecstatic; I haven't stopped smiling. For five years, this hotel's blighted us. Everyone's had their complaints and reservations about it and I'm really glad to see it gone. 'I think nationally there will be more protests; I hope so. We want people to get out into their communities, get rid of these hotels. 'It's not right they're here on taxpayers' dime while British people struggle. 'They get three meals a day and a roof over their head while kids go hungry in school and have to rely on free dinners and I think it's terrible. The asylum system is broken.' In the town centre, Charlotte, 33, a solicitor living in Epping, said: 'I think it's kicking the can down the road because where are they going to go? 'Personally, I have lived here for four years and I've never had an issue, never noticed any problems with any asylum seekers living in the hotel a mile away. 'With the injunction today, I don't know what the long-term solution is going to be because they have to be housed somewhere so what's the alternative? 'I don't partake in (the protests). I think people are allowed to have a right of free speech but what annoys me about them is I'm on community groups on Facebook and it seems if you're not speaking about it you're presumed to be completely for it when I think a lot of people are in the middle. 'There are extremists at these protests every week.' Michael Barnes, 61, a former carpenter from Epping, said he was happy about the High Court's decision. He said: 'The question is, where does it go from here? I don't love them on my doorstep but, in fairness, they've got to live somewhere. 'I don't think it's all of them, it's just the minority of them that get up to no good.' Gary Crump, 63, a self-employed lift consultant living just outside of Epping, said: 'I was quite pleased it's actually happened. 'I don't think they should be housed in the hotels like they are. 'We haven't got the infrastructure here. The doctors' surgery is filled up in the mornings with people from there with translators. Everything is pushing the limits. We're an island. We're full. 'I've got no reason to be against people coming into the UK but I do think that the reasons given are not true in a lot of cases.' Ryan Martin, 39, who runs a natural health business, said: 'It's a good thing. When people spend a lot of money to live in this area, they want to feel safe. 'Them shutting it down probably happened because of the noise that was made about it and the reaction they saw from people because there was a strong reaction. 'It was taking a while to happen but people finally got up to protest against them being here.'
Sky News
24 minutes ago
- Sky News
Germany Christmas market attack suspect charged with murder and 338 counts of attempted murder
A man suspected of ramming a car into a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg has been charged with murder. Five women and a boy died in the attack on 20 December, and many more people were wounded. Prosecutors have also charged the suspect, a 50-year-old Saudi doctor, with 338 counts of attempted murder, 309 counts of bodily harm, along with a motoring offence. The man, whose name has not officially been released in keeping with Germany's privacy rules, but who has previously been referred to as Taleb A, arrived in Germany in 2006 and had received permanent residency. Prosecutors claim he aimed to kill as many people as possible and had spent several weeks planning the attack, which was carried out with a rented BMW, which reached speeds of up to 30mph (48kph). Officials state he was not under the influence of alcohol and allege the attack was motivated "out of dissatisfaction and frustration with the course and outcome of a civil law dispute and the failure of various criminal complaints." The youngest victim was nine-year-old Andre Gleissner, while the five women who died were aged between 45 and 75. Officials have said the suspect does not fit the usual profile of an extremist, but previously said he was flagged as a potential threat, including by Saudi authorities. He described himself as an ex-Muslim who was highly critical of Islam and on social media expressed support for the far-right. Prosecutors allege that he was acting alone and kept plans about his attack secret. The court in Magdeburg will decide whether to send the case to trial. Murder charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Driver pleads GUILTY to killing woman, 22, in 140mph horror crash on Christmas Day as he fled police in his Mercedes
A DRIVER has pleaded guilty to the killing of a 22-year-old woman on Christmas Day in a 140mph horror crash. Evan Forde, 32, was driving his Mercedes in Brent Cross, north London, when he crashed into another vehicle at high speed. 2 He then proceeded to flee from the police on foot in the early hours of the morning on December 25, 2022. Brazilian Maria Carolina Do Nascimento was a passenger in the BMW that Forde crashed into. The young woman tragically passed away at the scene. The accident occurred on a 40mph stretch of road in Hendon Way at around 3.45am. Despite the speed limit, Forde had been driving at speeds of more than 140mph. This resulted in Nascimento's tragic death, despite the London Ambulance Service rushing to the scene and desperately trying to save the girl. Shortly before the fatal crash, police officers on patrol in a marked vehicle had indicated for his car to stop. However, the vehicle drove off from police and there was no pursuit, according to Scotland Yard. Moments later, cops were informed that the same car had been involved in a collision. The occupants of the Mercedes did not stop for the police as they proceeded to flee the scene on foot. Moment unsuspecting painter is sent flying through air in terrifying crash after car comes out of nowhere On Tuesday, Forde appeared at the Old Bailey where he pleaded guilty to causing Ms Nascimento's death by dangerous driving. Members of the victim's family wept in court after he admitted the offence. Defence barrister Tasmin Malcolm said Forde had "always accepted" he was driving the Mercedes. She said: 'Undoubtedly the speed Mr Forde was driving will be an aggravating feature to the court. 'It is important we are satisfied of the accuracy of the material relied on by the Crown.' Prosecutor Frederick Hookway observed that small variations of the speeds involved in the case were unlikely to have an impact given the defendant had reached 'top speeds of over 140mph'. Judge Anthony Leonard KC adjourned sentencing until October 22 and granted Forde continued conditional bail. He told him: "You have pleaded guilty to a very serious charge. "There was perhaps no option other than to do so given the state of the evidence. "However, the fact you pleaded at this stage will be taken into account at sentencing. Previously the Metropolitan Police said it had made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct as is routine in such circumstances.
