A teenage boy has pleaded guilty to the murder of 12-year-old Leo Ross.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted the offence at Birmingham Crown Court on 29 January. Leo was fatally stabbed in Hall Green in January last year.

Leo had been walking home from school along Scribers Lane on 21 January when he was approached by the boy and stabbed in the stomach.

At the time, Leo had been speaking to a friend on the phone and told them to meet him near a tree in Trittiford Mill Park. His friend arrived at the meeting point, but Leo never did.

A short time later, Leo was found lying on the ground. His friend called for an ambulance, and members of the public and paramedics attempted to save his life. Leo was taken to hospital, where he died later that evening.

Detective Inspector Joe Davenport, who led the investigation, said: “This was a heartbreaking and senseless attack on a young boy who was completely innocent.

“Leo was just walking home from school when he was the victim of an entirely unprovoked attack.

“Because of this boy’s actions, Leo and his family have been robbed of the life he could have lived.

“I’d like to thank the members of the community who tried to save Leo’s life, as well as the paramedics at the scene.

“Thanks to the public, who responded to our appeals for information and provided witness accounts and images, we were able to piece together the events which led to Leo’s death.

“Our thoughts remain with Leo’s family and we hope they can gain some closure knowing justice has been done.”

Leo’s foster family, the Westons, said: “Not a day goes by where we don’t think about Leo.

“His loss has impacted us deeply and his absence is felt constantly.

“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.

“He was wise beyond his years, full of knowledge and facts, full of life. A life cut short by a senseless act.

“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.”

Leo’s birth mother, Rachel Fisher, added: “My son Leo was the sweetest, most kind-hearted boy. He didn’t have a bad bone in his body.

“My baby’s 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.”

Police said the attacker had been in the area in the days leading up to the stabbing and had assaulted a number of people.

Immediately after stabbing Leo, the boy encountered one of Leo’s friends and told them: “Your mate has just been stabbed.” He then rode back towards the scene, where he told passers-by: “if the police come, I’ve got to go”, adding that they should get out of his way “in case I have to run”.

CCTV footage later showed the boy riding home from the scene at high speed.

Following local enquiries, officers identified the suspect and arrested him at his home later that evening.

During police interview, the boy showed no remorse and gave no explanation for his actions, responding with “no comment” when questioned about Leo’s murder and the earlier assaults.

Detectives examined hours of CCTV footage and other evidence to build a detailed timeline of events leading up to the killing.

The boy pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court on 29 January and is due to be sentenced on 10 February.