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Family of Leo Ross devastated, says aunt

Kevin Reide
BBC Midlands Today
Josh Sandiford
BBC News, West Midlands
BBC Victoria Phillips has scraped back hair and big hooped earrings. She is looking away from the camera and giving an interview. There are people behind her. BBC
Victoria Phillips spoke to the BBC as Birmingham City supporters laid a wreath

The family of a 12-year-old schoolboy who was stabbed to death in a Birmingham park are "devastated beyond words", according to his aunt.

Victoria Phillips spoke to the BBC as Birmingham City supporters laid a wreath at St. Andrew's stadium in honour of Leo Ross.

Leo was believed to have been making his way home from school when he was attacked in Hall Green on 21 January.

"Leo was a lovely boy," Ms Phillips said. "He didn't deserve this. No child deserves this."

Leo, described as a "lovely and bright" pupil of the Christ Church Secondary Academy in Yardley Wood, later died in hospital.

He had been stabbed in The Shire Country Park, with members of the public summoning the emergency services.

FAMILY Leo looking straight at the camera. Ten-pin bowling is behind him with an alley leading to a set of pins. FAMILY
Leo was described as a "lovely and bright" pupil

Ms Phillips said support from the local community meant "everything" to her family.

"It's absolutely everything how everybody's come through for Leo," she said.

"It just goes to show how lovely he was, doesn't it? We're very proud of everybody, we can't thank you all enough."

Asked how Leo's close family were, she added: "Devastated. Heartbroken. Absolutely heartbroken. There's no words."

A wreath which reads RIP LEO ROSS. A ringed finger is holding it. Football scarves can be seen in the background. A balloon is also cropped.
The wreath laid for 12-year-old Leo Ross

Ms Phillips said a fundraiser had been set up by relatives to raise money for an anti-knife crime charity, and loved ones would speak when they were ready.

"When this is all over, we'll be able to let everybody know that we are Leo's family," she added.

"Thank you to each and every one of you for all of your support. Love to everyone."

A man touches a wall on which a gigantic blue mural has been painted. On the left is Leo Ross's face, neck, and shoulders. On the right is his name, painted on the wall in white writing.
A mural has been painted near the scene of where 12-year-old schoolboy Leo Ross was fatally stabbed

Dozens of supporters were pictured letting off blue and white flares and balloons while holding a banner reading: "Say no to knife crime and yes to a safer future."

It comes after a mural was unveiled outside a house on Scribers Lane in Hall Green, near where Leo died.

Sue and Ruth Harris, who own the property, said they offered up their wall because they thought there needed to be a permanent memorial.

A 14-year-old boy is due to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on 22 April to enter pleas to charges of murder, possessing a bladed article and four unconnected counts of assault.

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