Teen Killer's Identity Revealed After Judge Lifts Anonymity Order
The 15-year-old convicted of murdering schoolboy Leo Ross in Birmingham can now be publicly identified as Kian Moulton, following a successful application by media organizations to lift reporting restrictions. Moulton, who will turn 16 next month, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal killing of 12-year-old Leo in January last year.
Violent History Exposed: From Classroom to Crime Scene
Court proceedings revealed Moulton had been excluded from mainstream education and a specialist pupil referral unit after breaking a teacher's nose and bringing a knife to class. This disturbing pattern of behavior preceded the fatal attack on Leo Ross, whom Moulton did not know personally.
Moulton's defense team described him as a "disturbed young man" suffering from formidable mental health problems, including personality disorder, severe conduct disorder, and ADHD. They detailed bizarre behaviors including striking himself in the face and attempting to catch the blood, along with claims of hearing voices commanding him to do things.
Troubled Background and Family Disownment
The teenager witnessed domestic violence from a young age after his parents separated when he was very young. He had minimal contact with his mother from age four, and his parents informed authorities their son "liked violence and gained enjoyment from it."
None of Moulton's family or friends attended his sentencing, with at least one close relative completely disowning him. The relative stated the court case had been challenging "because of my name being attached to what that scumbag did," adding "I couldn't care less what happens to him."
Judge's Decision: Public Interest Overrides Anonymity
High Court judge Mr Justice Choudhury KC ruled that revealing Moulton's identity was in the public interest, stating "the importance of the name cannot be overstated." The judge emphasized that knife crime among youths represents "particular public concern" and believed public identification could serve as a deterrent.
Moulton's barrister, Alistair Webster KC, had argued against identification, claiming it could hinder rehabilitation and pose risks to Moulton and his family, who have relocated since his imprisonment. However, the judge determined the public's right to know superseded these concerns.
The Fatal Attack and Aftermath
Moulton, then aged 14, stabbed Leo Ross in the stomach with a kitchen knife in what police described as a "completely random and unprovoked" attack while "hunting" someone to target. Detectives believe he selected Leo because the younger boy represented an "easy target" while walking home alone from school.
Leo's father Chris, 39, expressed outrage in court, demanding Moulton never be released from prison. "He should be in jail for life. He has shown no remorse," Chris told the Mirror. "If you kill someone you should do life yourself. I think that's fair."
During sentencing, Chris described confronting Moulton in court: "I looked him in the eyes through the glass and he just started laughing. It was just total disrespect. He clearly didn't care."
Ongoing Violence in Custody
Since being taken into custody, Moulton has made "scant progress" in rehabilitation and has been involved in numerous violent incidents, including an attack on another child. At one point during imprisonment, he was involved in serious acts of disruption and violence "almost every few days," according to court testimony.
Moulton has declined therapy and continues to display dangerous behavior that puts himself, fellow inmates, and staff at risk. The court was informed he has expressed suicidal thoughts and made "occasional attempts" at suicide while in custody.
Prior to Leo's murder, Moulton was already known to police as a suspect in four separate assaults between October and December 2024, including two on police officers. He had also reportedly hurled a brick through a shop window near his home approximately six months before the killing.
