Mr Justice Choudhury said he believed there was a strong public interest in this case and that outweighed arguments made by Moulton’s lawyers to protect his identity.
The escalation of the teenager’s offending played a part in his decision, he said, adding that by the time of his third attack on a vulnerable elderly woman, a pattern had been established.
The judge also said public concern about knife crime played a factor in his decision.
Moulton had shown no obvious sign of remorse, nor had he shown any positive signs of rehabilitation since he’d been detained.
Asked about this by the judge, Alistair Webster KC, told the court that it had been “one step forwards and two steps back”.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Moulton showed little emotion.
He had grown a lot since his first appearance at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court a year ago.
He sat mostly with his head slightly bowed. The only exception came when Christopher Ross, Leo’s father, addressed him directly as he began reading his victim impact statement, and said “look up man, you killed my son”.
Amy Weston, a member of Leo’s foster family, also addressed the defendant and said: “Leo was a small defenceless child, as vulnerable as they come. It was sickening.
“What you did was wicked, senseless and unforgivable.”
