Teenager to serve at least 23 years in prison for murdering girl, 15

A teenager has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a 15-year-old girl after a row over a teddy bear in south London.

- Matthew Weaver

Hassan Sentamu was 17 when he killed Elianne Andam by stabbing her in the neck outside the Whitgift Centre in Croydon, south London, in September 2023.

At his Old Bailey trial, Sentamu admitted manslaughter but denied murder, blaming the fact he had autism for losing control during a meeting with Elianne.

However, in January a jury found Sentamu, of New Addington, near Croydon, guilty of murder by a majority verdict.

Yesterday the judge, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, sentenced Sentamu to life in prison with a minimum term of 23 years. Addressing Sentamu, she said: "Elianne was 15 when you murdered her. She will always remain just 15, she will never realise the potential of her life. The pain of her loss to her parents and younger brother is indescribable."

Cheema-Grubb noted that a mural had been painted for Elianne near where she was killed. She said: "Its presence marks the determination of the community as forcefully as they can - put the knives down."