A teenager fatally stabbed schoolgirl Elianne Andam in a fit of “white-hot anger” following a dispute over a teddy bear, jurors at the Old Bailey have heard.
Hassan Sentamu, 18, is facing charges for the fatal stabbing that occurred on September 27, 2023, in Croydon town centre. According to prosecutor Alex Chalk KC, the attack took place during a meeting with his ex-girlfriend and her friends.
The court was told that the altercation began over a teddy bear belonging to Elianne’s friend. Sentamu reportedly had a tense exchange with his ex-girlfriend, with disputes escalating to violence.
“The catalyst for this dreadful attack was rather more simple: anger,” Chalk said. “White-hot anger at having been disrespected in public by girls, both by Elianne on the day of the killing and previously.”
Jurors heard that Sentamu left his home in New Addington that morning armed with a knife, and traveled to the Whitgift Centre in Croydon. His ex-girlfriend had brought a bag of his personal items to return, but Sentamu refused to give back the teddy bear as promised.
Elianne, standing in support of her friend, took the bag of Sentamu’s belongings from him. In response, Sentamu allegedly chased Elianne, cornered her, and stabbed her multiple times, the court was told.
The prosecutor labeled the attack deliberate and rooted in anger, rejecting Sentamu’s defense of “loss of control” due to his autism diagnosis in 2020. Chalk stressed that autism and childhood experiences do not amount to an excuse or justification for murder.
Sentamu has pleaded not guilty to murder, instead admitting to manslaughter but denies unlawfully carrying a blade. He has claimed that he possessed the knife for a “lawful reason.”
The trial continues at the Old Bailey, with further testimony expected as the investigation proceeds.
