Murder verdict for teen who stabbed girl, 15, over teddy

A teenager has been found guilty of murdering 15-year-old Elianne Andam by stabbing her in a row over her friend’s teddy bear.

- HOLLY EVANS

Hassan Sentamu, 18, had met with Elianne and her friends at a bus stop in Croydon town centre, south London, to swap belongings with his ex-girlfriend, who was part of the victim’s group. However, after he showed up without the toy an argument ensued which led to him stabbing the schoolgirl in a fit of “white-hot anger”.

Sentamu, who was studying sports science at Croydon College, had admitted manslaughter but denied Elianne’s murder on the basis of “loss of control” because he has autism.

But he was found guilty after jurors deliberated for 11 hours and 42 minutes, and was also convicted of possession of a bladed weapon. Upon hearing the verdict, members of Elianne’s family broke down in tears while others shouted “murderer” from the public gallery.

In a statement outside the Old Bailey, her father Michael Andam described her as a “bright, kind and loving soul” who stood up for what was right. “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,” he said.

Jurors heard that 10 days before the killing, Sentamu had broken up with his girlfriend by text, telling her: “Ur energy is dead I’m not rdy for a relationship…all the best [sic].”

When she asked for her teddy bear back, they agreed to exchange items with the youth responding: “Ur wasting my time do you want your thingy or not? If everything isn’t in the bag your not gonna get your dumb little bear. [sic].”

After the girl reported his attitude back to her friends, Elianne responded: “He’s so rude.”