A teenager who stabbed Croydon schoolgirl Elianne Andam to death has been convicted of her murder.
Hassan Sentamu, 18, admitted manslaughter after stabbing Elianne in the neck in Wellesley Road, Croydon, on September 27, 2023.
The teenager denied murder, claiming his autism had caused him to lose control.
Today a jury found Sentamu, of Rowdown Crescent, New Addington, guilty of Elianne’s murder by a majority verdict.
Elianne’s parents, Dorcas and Michael Andam, said: “On September 27, 2023 our world was shattered, and our hearts were broken by the senseless and violent loss of our beloved daughter.
“At just 15 years old she had her whole life ahead of her, filled with hopes and dreams for the future – all cruelly taken away from her and from us. Her death has left a void in our lives that can never be filled.
“This trial has been our fight for justice, forcing us to confront the devastating details of Elianne’s final moments, details that will remain with us forever.
“The verdict today is the first step toward justice for Elianne, but also a message that violence and knife crime, especially toward young women, will not go unanswered.”
In the hours before Elianne’s murder, her friend who cannot be named for legal reasons, had arranged to meet up with Sentamu.
The pair had recently come out of a relationship and agreed to meet to swap items, including a teddy bear. But Sentamu turned up to the meeting empty-handed.
Elianne followed her friend as she spoke to Sentamu in an effort to try and get her belongings back.
As the group made their way along Wellesley Road, Elianne ran up behind Sentamu and grabbed the bag of items that her friend had returned to him.
Sentamu chased after her, removing a knife from his waistband.
In seconds, he had caught up to Elianne and stabbed her multiple times, including in her neck – a wound which proved fatal.
After she collapsed to the ground, passers-by gave Elianne immediate medical attention while they waited for emergency services which arrived within minutes.
Sentamu ran off, making his way along George Street towards East Croydon Station and to Cedar Road where he was seen to dump the knife in the front garden of a random property.
He then took his usual route home, catching a Route 130 bus before changing to a 64. As he got off the bus at Goldcrest Way he was spotted by a local officer and arrested.
Body-worn video of the arrest showed Hassan attempting to give a false name of “John” and denying any involvement in the incident.
Sentamu will be sentenced on March 13.
Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain, responsible for policing in Croydon, said: “Elianne’s murder was met with a collective sense of shock and outrage, and I know this verdict will impact many.
“Elianne was popular with a bright future ahead of her. It’s clear from the messages left at the scene and the hundreds who attended a candlelit vigil held in her honour that she was loved by many, and I know her loss remains felt by us all.
“This was an incident that affected even experienced officers, but I am proud of how my colleagues responded that day.”
Pictured top: Dorca Andam, middle, next to a painting of her 15-year-old daughter Elianne during a service in the week following Elianne’s death (Picture: PA)