A south London court has found Hassan Sentamu guilty of murdering 15-year-old Elianne Andam, a schoolgirl, in a row over a teddy bear. Sentamu, 18, denied murder but admitted manslaughter, claiming his autism caused him to lose control. Prosecutors argued he acted in a fit of rage, seeking revenge for a perceived slight. The shocking case has left the community reeling.
Eighteen-year-old Hassan Sentamu has been found guilty of murdering 15-year-old schoolgirl Elianne Andam in south London . The fatal incident stemmed from a dispute over a teddy bear that Elianne had intended to retrieve from Sentamu, her ex-boyfriend's friend. On September 27, 2023, Elianne and her friend went to meet Sentamu near the Whitgift Shopping Centre to swap belongings.
However, Sentamu failed to bring the teddy bear as promised, prompting Elianne to approach him to collect a bag containing some of his clothes. This action ignited a vicious attack, culminating in Sentamu stabbing Elianne in the neck with a kitchen knife. Sentamu had admitted to manslaughter but denied murder, claiming his autism spectrum disorder caused him to lose control during the encounter. Prosecutor Alex Chalk KC refuted this claim, stating that Sentamu had acted in a fit of rage, seeking vengeance for a perceived disrespect shown the day before. He emphasized that there was no evidence linking Sentamu's autism to the violent attack. During the trial, Elianne's friend, whose identity remains protected, recounted the terrifying ordeal. She testified that Sentamu initially seemed warning her, saying he didn't want to hurt her. However, his demeanor quickly changed, and he pulled out a large knife. Elianne's friend managed to witness Sentamu stabbing Elianne before fleeing the scene. Metropolitan Police Detective Becky Woodsford, who led the investigation, described the case as deeply shocking to the community. Woodsford highlighted the profound impact of Elianne's death on her loved ones and the community's unwavering support for the investigation. Sentamu remained silent during his police interview, offering no explanation for bringing a knife that fateful morning. When asked if he had anything to say to Elianne's parents, he simply responded, 'No.' Woodsford acknowledged the progress made in addressing knife crime and zombie knives but emphasized the challenge posed by individuals using readily available household items as weapons. She stressed the need to understand the motivations behind such acts to effectively prevent future tragedies. The trial revealed that Sentamu had made disturbing statements to inmates at HMP Oakhill, indicating a willingness to repeat his violent actions. The court also heard about prior incidents involving Sentamu and knives, including threats of self-harm and threats towards others. Following the verdict, Elianne's parents, Dorcas and Michael Andam, expressed their profound grief and the enduring emptiness left by their daughter's loss. They hailed the verdict as the first step towards justice for Elianne, while emphasizing the need for societal action to combat violence and knife crime, particularly against young women.
MURDER SCHOOLGIRL LONDON KNIFE AUTISM TEENAGER JUSTICE
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