Authorities have dropped two of six assault charges against a 14-year-old boy accused of murdering 12-year-old Leo Ross in a stabbing in Birmingham earlier this month.

The teenager, who cannot be named, still faces four other counts of assault as well as murder and possessing a bladed article

A teenage boy charged with murdering 12-year-old Leo Ross in Birmingham could face a trial in June. The 14-year-old, who cannot be named due to his age, was arrested by West Midlands Police four hours after Leo was fatally stabbed in the stomach on a riverside path in the Hall Green area on January 21.

Leo Ross died in hospital after he was found with stab wounds to the stomach near Scribers Lane in Hall Green on Tuesday last week. The accused, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared before Birmingham Crown Court earlier via video link from youth detention accommodation.

A 14-year-old-boy has been remanded in custody after appearing at Birmingham Magistrates Court charged with the murder of schoolboy Leo Ross. The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, will appear at Birmingham Crown Court tomorrow.