🔴 KIAN MOULTON NAMED AS KILLER OF LEO ROSS, 12

Moulton, who was 14 at the time of the offence, pleaded guilty to murder at an earlier hearing. He stabbed Leo in the stomach during a random attack as the victim walked home from school through Trittiford Mill Park in Yardley Wood, Birmingham, on 21 January 2025. Leo was found injured near Scribers Lane and died in hospital later that day.

Mr Justice Choudhury sentenced Moulton at Birmingham Crown Court on 10 February 2026. The judge described the killing as a “totally random” and unprovoked assault, carried out “purely for violence’s sake”. Moulton had cycled around the area on CCTV footage, appearing to hunt for a victim before selecting Leo as an “easy target” because he was smaller and walking alone.

The court heard that after the stabbing, Moulton remained at the scene claiming to have discovered the victim already dead, seemingly deriving pleasure from the consequences of his actions.

Moulton also admitted three separate assaults on elderly women, which the judge described as “horrific and shocking” attacks on vulnerable individuals least able to defend themselves.

In sentencing remarks, Mr Justice Choudhury told Moulton: “You have robbed Leo of his life and his future.” The judge noted the victim’s description as a “lovely little boy who loved learning, collecting and exploring”.

The sentence is one of detention during His Majesty’s pleasure – the mandatory equivalent of life imprisonment for murder committed by a person under 18 – with the minimum term set at 13 years before parole eligibility can be considered. Moulton will remain on licence for life if released.

During court proceedings, Leo’s father, Chris Ross, described Moulton’s behaviour as showing “total disrespect” and no remorse. He stated that the defendant looked him in the eye through the dock glass and laughed. Further reports to the court indicated Moulton was observed fist-bumping guards, laughing, and attempting to write messages on a table during a video link appearance from custody to goad the family.

In a victim personal statement read to the court, Leo’s mother, Rachel Fisher, said: “If love could’ve saved Leo, he would’ve lived forever.”

Speaking to reporters outside court after sentencing, Chris Ross criticised the minimum term, stating: “If you kill someone you should do life yourself.” He highlighted the absence of remorse for killing what he described as a model student.

Moulton, from Yardley, was described as having ‘formidable’ mental health and behavioural problems had been excluded from education. Police noted a prior history of enjoying hurting people. The attack was described by detectives as a “completely random” hunt.

The judge lifted anonymity restrictions on Thursday 12 February 2026 following media applications, allowing Moulton to be publicly identified.