The identity of the teenager accused of stabbing 15-year-old school girl Elianne Andam at a bus stop in South London can be revealed for the first time as he turns 18.
Hassan Sentamu is charged with murdering Elianne on Wellesley Road, near the Whitgift Centre, at around 8.30am on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. Sentamu was 17 at the time, so could not legally be named.
Elianne had met two female friends before she was knifed. It is alleged that Sentamu, wearing a mask and gloves, removed a large knife from his waistband and stabbed Elianne repeatedly.
As he left the scene, others attempted to give first aid but she could not be saved. Mr Sentamu was arrested in New Addington at 9.45am the same day, the court heard.
Elianne was a student at Old Palace of John Whitgift, a private school for girls, around half a mile away from where she was stabbed.
15-year-old school girl Elianne Andam was stabbed at a bus stop on Wellesley Road, near the Whitgift Centre in Croydon at around 8.30am on Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Family and friends of Elianne Andam at the scene of the stabbing in Croydon, south London
The school was ‘deeply shocked’ by her death and described her as a ‘much-loved and valued friend and pupil’. Elianne’s aunty, Marian, said she had dreams of becoming a lawyer and was a keen gymnast.
At his last appearance at the Old Bailey in March this year, Sentamu admitted killing the year 11 pupil, by pleading to manslaughter, but denied her murder.
The plea was not accepted by the prosecution and a trial was fixed for this November.
Sentamu also denied possessing a blade in a public place. At an earlier hearing, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC called it a ‘brutal attack’.
After her death, Elianne’s family said in a statement: ‘We as a family are struggling to comprehend this painful tragedy that has happened to our beautiful daughter and beloved sister Elianne. 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.’
A murder trial is due to begin at the Old Bailey on November 25.