Schoolgirl, 15, stabbed in the neck ‘by pal’s ex-boyfriend in row over teddy bear’ outside shopping centre
A SCHOOLGIRL was stabbed in the neck by her pal’s ex-boyfriend in a row over a teddy bear, a court has heard.
Elianne Andam, 15, was repeatedly knifed as she tried to stick up for a friend as they made their way to school in Croydon, South London, in September last year.
She had gotten off a bus with friends when she was allegedly attacked by Hassan Sentamu, then 17, near the Whitgift Shopping Centre.
Elianne was friends with Sentamu’s ex-girlfriend, who had broken up with him 10 days earlier.
She was part of a group that had arranged to see Sentamu before school in order to exchange belongings following the break-up.
But he stabbed Elianne to death while in a fit of “white-hot anger” after failing to return her teddy bear, a court heard today.
Horrified witnesses tried to save her, but the schoolgirl died at the scene a short time later.
A post mortem found she suffered multiple stab wounds.
Sentamu, now 18, has admitted manslaughter and accepts he inflicted the fatal knife wound.
But he denies murder on the basis of “loss of control” because he has autism and possession of a blade in a public place as he had a “lawful reason” for carrying it.
Opening the trial at the Old Bailey today, prosecutor Alex Chalk said: “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.”
Sentamu was armed with a kitchen knife when he took a bus from his home in New Addington to she shopping centre on September 27 last year, the court heard.
He met up with his ex-girlfriend, who cannot be named, and her pals in a car park at the shopping centre.
Mr Chalk said: “The purpose of the meeting was to exchange belongings. (The ex-girlfriend) in particular was anxious to recover her teddy bear.”
The ex-girlfriend stuck with her side of the bargain and handed him a plastic bag full of belongings, the court heard.
But Sentamu arrived empty-handed and a row broke out, jurors were told.
Mr Chalk added: “Elianne was aggrieved on her friend’s behalf. So, at around 8.30am whilst 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.”
CCTV captured the stabbing, allegedly showing Sentamu fleeing the scene and discarding the knife.
He was arrested at a bus stop near his home less than 90 minutes later.
Hundreds of people – including rapper Stormzy – paid tribute to Elianne in a candlelit vigil.
Her mum Dorcas Andam said her daughter was “smart, charismatic” and “loved living life to the fullest”.
The mum added: “She brought joy to so many, including her friendship group.
“She was an amazing, beautiful, girl.
“She loved and touched lives around her.”
In a moving tribute, the schoolgirl’s family said they were “struggling to comprehend this painful tragedy”.
They added: “Our hearts are broken.
“Elianne was a beautiful person inside and out who loved Jesus.
“She was intelligent, thoughtful, kind and had a bright future ahead.
“It is our request that you keep our cherished daughter Elianne and our family in your thoughts and prayers.”
Members of Elianne’s family sat in the well of the court as Mr Chalk outlined the case against Sentamu.
The trial continues