A MAN has appeared before Birmingham Magistrates via video link this morning (Wednesday) accused of the city centre stabbings in the early hours of Sunday.
Zephaniah McLeod, 27, of Nately Grove, Selly Oak, Birmingham, was charged last night with the murder of Jacob Billington, who was one of eight people stabbed. He is also accused of the attempted murder of the seven other victims of the knife attacks.
McLeod has been remanded to appear at Birmingham Crown Court tomorrow (Thursday).
Musician Jacob, 23, from Crosby, Liverpool, who worked at Sheffield Hallam University and was a drummer, died after being attacked in Irving Street while enjoying a night out with school friends from Liverpool visiting one of their group who is studying in Birmingham.
A post mortem concluded he died as a result of a stab wound to the neck.
A 23-year-old man, who was seriously injured in Irving Street, remains in hospital in a critical condition. A 22-year-old woman, attacked in Hurst Street, remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
Another man, aged 30, remains in a stable condition in hospital, while four others have been discharged.
Anyone with information, photos or video footage which could help the investigation can get in touch with us via this dedicated web link: mipp.police.uk/operation/20HQ19G54-PO1
