A man billed with the murder of one particular of 8 individuals stabbed in Birmingham town centre in the early hrs of Sunday has been remanded in custody.
Zephaniah McLeod, 27, of Nately Grove, Selly Oak, Birmingham, is accused of killing Jacob Billington – and of the tried murder of the seven other victims.
He appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court by means of video-backlink on Wednesday morning, talking only to ensure his own aspects.
He rubbed his facial area and forehead with his hands, often obscuring his encounter for the duration of the five-moment visual appeal, and was remanded in custody to seem at Birmingham Crown Court – all over again by way of video-url – on Thursday.
Jacob Billington, 23, was stabbed in the neck through a night out with friends.
Police have so much not introduced an impression of McLeod, but Sky News has tracked down a single of the initial pictures – showing the accused gentleman against a red track record.
Mr Billington, 23, was on a evening out with college good friends from Liverpool, going to 1 of their group learning in Birmingham, when he was stabbed in the neck.
Three people today are still in medical center right after the metropolis centre assault, which includes Mr Billington’s close friend, Michael Callaghan, who is in a essential issue.
The man who sadly shed his life in yesterday’s stabbings in Birmingham has currently been explained as ‘the gentle of our life’ by his family members.
Jacob Billington was just 23 when he was stabbed in Irving Road. #BirminghamUpdates #Birmingham pic.twitter.com/U4iKLAMsbq
— Birmingham Updates (@BhamUpdates) September 7, 2020
A 22-calendar year-outdated girl, attacked in Hurst Street, is critical but secure, and a gentleman aged 30 is in a major issue. The other four victims have been discharged.
All seven victims of the attempted murder prices were named in court on Wednesday – Dimitar Bachvarov, Migle Dolobauskaite, Thomas Glassey, Shane Rowley, Rhys Cummings, Ryan Bowers, and Mr Callaghan.
3 folks arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender ended up launched earlier on Tuesday pending investigation.
Mr Billington’s relatives mentioned in a statement on Monday that he was “a humorous, caring and amazing individual who was beloved by each and every single particular person he met”.
Much more tributes ended up paid these days by the the college he worked and researched at.
A heartfelt tribute to Jacob Billington & Michael Callaghan from Crosby, two victims of horrendous Birmingham knife assault. In the text of Michael’s uncle, @peterjharvey their good friends acted heroically. Unfortunately they were being not able to preserve Jacob. My thoughts with both family members. So sad. pic.twitter.com/UtjONVmBDM
— Monthly bill Esterson (@Invoice_Esterson) September 7, 2020
A spokesperson for Sheffield Hallam College mentioned: “Jacob was a Sheffield Hallam graduate and experienced joined the library as a graduate intern, in which his heat and enthusiasm built him a considerably valued member of our crew.
“Our ideas and condolences are with his relatives, pals and colleagues at this quite complicated time.
“We are furnishing support to all those in our community who have been affected by this tragic incident.”
Mr Billington and Mr Callaghan had the two attended the Sacred Heart Catholic Faculty in Crosby, which held prayers for them on Monday evening.
The university mentioned in a statement: “We are saddened at the situations in Birmingham which took Jacob’s lifetime and remaining Michael critically hurt.”
“We are praying for Michael’s recovery and will by no means forget Jacob, his life touched so many in our school.”
Also spending tribute was Mr Billington’s neighborhood MP for Sefton Central in Merseyside, Monthly bill Esterton, who reported that his mates had acted “heroically” in a bid to help save his daily life.
