18-year-old Hassan Sentamu has been convicted at the Old Bailey by a majority verdict of 10-2 for the senseless murder of Elianne Andam.

Elianne Andam tragically lost her life in September 2023, after being repeatedly stabbed by Sentamu, in a row over a teddy bear. Andam was attacked outside Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon, South London when meeting Sentamu to exchange some of his belongings with those belonging to his ex-girlfriend (Elianne’s friend). However, Sentamu had other thoughts, as he came carrying a knife, having felt “disrespected” by Andam and her friends who threw water on him the day before for mistreating their friend. 

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The court heard that Sentamu flew into an "explosive rage of savage violence", delivering a fatal 12cm deep stab wound to Elianne’s neck. The court heard Prosecutor Alex Chalk KC state: "[Sentamu] was angry on 27 September, having brooded on the insult and he took the knife to the scene to reassert dominance…

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He exacted vengeance on a young girl clearly running away from him and posing no threat."

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However, despite admitting to the heinous act, Sentamu claimed diminished responsibility on the basis of his autism and plead guilty to manslaughter. The jury, whom deliberated at the Old Bailey for nearly 12 hours, did not accept Sentamu’s defence and found him guilty of murder. Sentamu was also convicted for his illegal possession of the knife he used against Andam. 

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Sentamu was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was 14 and spent some of his teenage years in foster care, a pupil referral unit and in a special educational needs school.

The court also heard of Sentamu’s disruptive childhood, suicidal tendencies, violent behaviour with knives and an incident where he told fellow inmates that he would “do it again!” before delivering the applauded verdict. Whilst Andam’s family cheered as the verdict was delivered, her father, Michael Andam stated that the verdict “could not bring Elianne back". He added:

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"Our world was shattered, and our hearts were broken by the senseless and violent loss of our beloved daughter, Elianne Andam…

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At just 15 years old she had her whole life ahead of her, filled with hopes and dreams for the future - all cruelly taken away from her, and from us…

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We will be sharing her story and working toward a world where no family has to endure such heartbreak… Elianne's life mattered, and her legacy will live on in our hearts forever."

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The judge, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, adjourned sentencing until 13 March and told  visibly distressed Sentamu as he cried in the dock:

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 "I understand you must be very shocked and take time to get used to what has happened."

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