Teenager who stabbed schoolgirl Elianne Andam to death in row over teddy bear guilty of murder
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Hassan Sentamu used a kitchen knife to attack 15 year-old in front of her horrified school friends in Croydon. 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. Hassan Sentamu, 18, had met with Elianne and her friends at a bus stop in Croydon town centre 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”.
![[The moment Hassan Sentamu was arrested over her murder (Met Police/PA)]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/10/12/d2c2a39205f267c8cd4a96bae634a03cY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzMzOTE4MjI3-2.78441337.jpg)
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.
![[Elianne appeared on a Snapchat video moments before she was attacked (Met Police/PA)]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/10/15/c813b3363f8277bfdbc7d02bb18c1128Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzMzOTMwNjE4-2.78441339.jpg)
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?.
![[Sentamu running from the scene holding a knife]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/10/16/63749e75-8989-45fd-97c8-41e8d7a56834.jpg)
