Provisional trial date set for man accused of Birmingham stabbings

The series of attacks sparked a huge response from emergency services. Credit: PA

A judge at Birmingham Crown Court has set a provisional trial date for the man accused of murdering a university student and attempting to kill 7 other people during a series of stabbings in Birmingham city centre.

Zephaniah McLeod did not appear at Birmingham Crown Court, where his case was discussed on Thursday (12 November).

Judge Melbourne Inman QC described the case as "very sad" and set a plea and trial preparation hearing for February 11 next year. He also set a provisional trial date for June 28.

McLeod, of Nately Grove, Selly Oak, has been in custody since he was charged with committing the attacks which took place over a 90-minute period in the early hours of 6 September.

Jacob Billington, a Sheffield Hallam University graduate intern, was fatally stabbed in the neck.

The 23-year-old was among eight people stabbed during the stabbings which triggered a major emergency services response.

7 others were injured in four attacks across the city centre -including Mr Billington's old school friend and band-mate Michael Callaghan.

Last month, West Midlands Police's chief constable said Mr Callaghan is the only remaining victim still in hospital, having been transferred to Liverpool where he is undergoing rehabilitation at a "specialist neurological hospital".