A teenager who was arrested on suspicion of murdering 12-year-old Leo Ross has been arrested over two further assaults.
Detectives have been granted more time to interview the 14-year-old – who cannot be named for legal reasons. He was arrested on Tuesday night, hours after Leo was stabbed as he cycled home from school in Hall Green, Birmingham.
West Midlands Police also held him on suspicion of assaulting an elderly woman in her 80s in the same area just days before. Officers have now confirmed he has been arrested on suspicion of two further assaults on elderly members of the public in Hall Green.
One attack occurred the day before Leo’s death and another just hours before he was murdered.
West Midlands Police said in a statement: “A teenage boy arrested in connection with the murder of 12-year-old Leo Ross remains in custody today. Officers investigating Leo’s death have been granted extra time to question the 14-year-old boy, who was arrested on Tuesday night.
“We are also investigating three assaults in the Hall Green area, one on 19 January, one on 20 January and one on 21 January, shortly before Leo’s murder, which happened at around 3.15pm. The victims of the assaults are aged in their 70s and 80s and we are asking for any information which could help in our enquiries. The suspect was initially arrested on suspicion of the January 19 assault and then while in custody he was arrested on suspicion of murder and then later the two further assaults.”
West Midlands Police revealed the victims of the assaults are aged in their 70s and 80s. Chief Supt Richard North said: “I would ask the public and the media not to speculate on the motive of this incident. The investigation is in the early stages and we have someone in custody.”
Tributes have flooded in for Leo, who was heading home from school when he was attacked.. Loved ones described him as “the most beautiful, kind child” who “had not one aggressive bone in his body”.
Locals said The Shire Country Park, where the killing happened, has been plagued by anti-social behaviour in recent months. Leo was airlifted to hospital after being stabbed in the stomach but later died from his wounds.
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