Elianne Andam: Hassan Sentamu accused of stabbing teen to death after teddy bear fight

A teenage girl was stabbed to death on her way to school in an argument over a teddy bear, a court has heard.

Hassan Sentamu, 18, is accused of killing Elianne Andam, 15, in a fit of “white-hot anger” after she stood up for her friend – the defendant’s ex-girlfriend.

The Old Bailey heard that the former couple, who had split up just over a week earlier, had arranged to meet in Croydon, south London, on the morning of September 27, 2023, to return each other’s belongings.

During the meeting outside the Whitgift shopping centre, Sentamu’s ex-girlfriend, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, who was with a group of friends on their way to school, handed over a plastic bag containing his belongings – but the defendant was empty-handed, jurors were told.

Prosecutor Alex Chalk KC told the court: “The purpose of the meeting was to exchange belongings. (The ex-girlfriend) in particular was anxious to recover her teddy bear.”

“Elianne was aggrieved on her friend’s behalf. So at around 8.30am, while Hassan was walking outside the Whitgift Centre, Elianne took the plastic bag back.

“It was a gesture of solidarity with (her friend) that cost Elianne her life.

“The defendant chased after her cornered her and used the kitchen knife to stab her repeatedly.

“He drove the knife 12cm into her neck, severing the carotid artery and causing injuries that were unsurvivable.

“Despite the rapid arrival of the emergency services and intensive efforts over the course of nearly an hour, Elianne died at the scene.”

Sentamu, who was 17 at the time of the attack, has admitted manslaughter but denied Elianne’s murder on the basis of “loss of control” because he has autism.

Mr Chalk added: “Having heard the evidence you may feel that the catalyst for this dreadful attack was rather more simple: anger.” \

“White-hot anger at having been disrespected in public by girls, both by Elianne on the day of the killing and previously.”

CCTV footage captured the attack on Elianne at a bus stop in Croydon town centre, Sentamu running from the scene and disposing of the knife.

He was arrested less than 90 minutes later at a bus stop near his home in New Addington, south London, the court was told.

Mr Chalk said that in the face of “overwhelming” evidence against him, Sentamu did not deny wielding the knife and causing Elianne’s death, but had pleaded not guilty to murder on the basis that his responsibility was diminished, having been diagnosed with autism in 2020.

Mr Chalk acknowledged to the court “with compassion” the challenges posed by autism and the impact that “adverse” childhood experiences can have, but asserted that neither amounted to an “excuse, justification or defence” for Elianne’s murder.

Sentamu also denies possessing a blade in a public place, claiming that he had a “lawful reason” for carrying it.

The prosecutor told jurors that Sentamu has a “short fuse”, and on the day of the killing he came to the end of it, adding: “His calculated decision to bring a knife to the scene meant that the consequences of that outburst for Elianne and her family were utterly devastating.”

Thousands gathered at a vigil for Elianne in November last year, including the rapper Stormzy, where she was described as “cute, funny, and very loving and caring”.

Members of Elianne’s family were in the Old Bailey as Mr Chalk outlined the case against Sentamu. The trial continues.