A tragic incident unfolded outside the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon, London, on September 27, 2023, when 15-year-old Elianne Andam was fatally stabbed. Elianne was killed while standing up for a friend who wanted her teddy bear back from her ex-boyfriend, Hassan Sentamu, who was 17 at the time.
Sentamu, now 18, is on trial for the murder of Elianne, though he has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The court heard how Sentamu chased Elianne, cornered her, and repeatedly stabbed her with a kitchen knife. After the attack, he fled the scene and disposed of the weapon, but was arrested less than 90 minutes later.
The prosecution revealed that Elianne and her group of friends had gone to meet Sentamu in a car park before school to exchange personal belongings with her ex. However, when Sentamu arrived empty-handed, Elianne grabbed a plastic bag from him in solidarity with her friend, triggering a violent response. Sentamu chased and cornered her, delivering a fatal blow to her neck that severed a major artery.
While Sentamu has admitted to causing Elianne’s death, he claims his responsibility was diminished due to his autism. He also denies charges of illegal possession of the knife, arguing he had a lawful reason for carrying it.
The prosecution acknowledges the challenges of autism but maintains that it does not excuse or justify the violent attack. They argue that Sentamu’s actions were driven by “white-hot anger” after feeling disrespected in public.
Sentamu’s decision to bring a knife to the confrontation, the prosecution asserts, led to devastating consequences for Elianne and her family. The jury must now decide whether autism provides a legal defense for his actions as the trial continues.