Tributes Flow for Leo Ross on His 14th Birthday Following Tragic Stabbing
Emotional tributes have been shared today for Leo Ross, a schoolboy described as 'lovely and kind', on what would have been his 14th birthday. The 12-year-old was fatally stabbed in the stomach near Scribers Lane in Hall Green on January 21 last year, succumbing to his injuries hours later at Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Sentencing and Family's Heartfelt Words
Yesterday, at Birmingham Crown Court, Leo's killer—a 14-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons—was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 13 years. In response, Leo's foster family, who cared for him for seven years, released a poignant statement expressing their enduring grief.
'No sentence can ever undo or compensate the loss of Leo nor return him to us. Our family will live with this pain forever,' they said. They described Leo as a 'polite, lovely, kind boy, full of life and energy' whose presence would light up a room. The family emphasised that while the sentencing occurred, it 'does not bring justice in the way our hearts long for.'
Community Outpouring of Support
On social media, scores of heartfelt messages flooded in from the public, honouring Leo's memory. One person posted, 'Happy heavenly birthday Leo. I hope you’re up there having a party, playing on your games and enjoying yourself. GBNF.' Another added, 'Happy heavenly Birthday Leo, it's heart-breaking for your family that you are not here. I'm so sorry that you were taken so soon. Fly high Leo. #Leoforever12.'
Leo's Legacy Foundation also shared a tribute, writing, 'Happy heavenly birthday Leo. It’s midnight and you would have turned 14.' The Westons, his foster family, reflected on his impact, stating, 'Leo’s life mattered. His kindness, his laughter, and his love will always be part of who we are.'
A Lasting Legacy of Love
The family concluded their statement by vowing to keep Leo's spirit alive, saying, 'Though he is no longer physically with us, he will live on in our memories, in the stories we share, and in the love we carry for him every day. We will miss him always. He will never be forgotten, and he will forever be loved.' This sentiment echoes across the community, as tributes continue to highlight the tragic loss of a young life to knife crime in Birmingham.
