A MAN has appeared in court this morning charged with the murder of Jacob Billington, who was one of eight people stabbed in Birmingham city centre in the early hours of Sunday.

Zephaniah McLeod, aged 27, of Nately Grove, Selly Oak, Birmingham, is also accused of the attempted murder of the seven other victims of the knife attacks.

McLeod appeared before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court this morning (Wednesday) and he has been remanded to appear at Birmingham Crown Court tomorrow (Thursday).

Jacob, aged 23, 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 critical but stable.

Another man, aged 30, remains in a serious condition in hospital, while four others have been discharged.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Munro, who is leading the investigation, said: “Since these tragic events unfolded in the early hours of Sunday morning we’ve had a team of officers working non-stop on the investigation.

“Our driving focus is to secure justice for the victims, their family and friends. Our sympathies remain with everyone who’s been impacted by these terrible crimes.

“Our investigation continues and I would urge any witnesses who’ve not yet spoken to us, or anyone with information they feel could help, to get in touch.”

Anyone with information, photos or video footage which could help the investigation can get in touch with police via this web link: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/20HQ19G54-PO1