A teenager who fatally stabbed 15-year-old schoolgirl Elianne Andam in a violent and unprovoked attack has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 23 years.
Hassan Sentamu, 18, was found guilty of murder after a trial at the Old Bailey, where the court heard how he carried out the brutal attack near the Whitgift Centre in Croydon in September 2023.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Trump Imposes 25% Tariffs On Steel And Aluminium Imports—UK Unlikely To Retaliate
The tragic incident stemmed from a dispute over a teddy bear. Elianne had stepped in to defend a friend—Sentamu’s ex-girlfriend—when the confrontation escalated into a horrific act of violence.
Despite claiming that his autism led to a “loss of control,” the jury rejected his defense, convicting him of both murder and possession of a knife.
A Family’s Heartbreaking Loss
Following Sentamu’s sentencing, Elianne’s father, Michael Andam, shared his grief in court, revealing the torment he endures daily.
“The thought of her final moments torments me. I close my eyes and see the horror of what she must have endured—the fear, the pain—it breaks me over and over again,” he said.
Elianne’s mother, Dorcas Andam, spoke of the devastating void left by her daughter’s murder.
“Elianne was my world. She was vibrant, creative, and full of love. Now, our home is filled with silence where once there was laughter and music,” she said. Addressing Sentamu directly, she called his actions “senseless and evil.”
The judge, Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb, condemned the murder as a calculated act fueled by Sentamu’s “short temper and aggressive tendencies.” She described Elianne as a “hard-working, happy girl” with dreams of becoming a lawyer, tragically cut short by his actions.
Calls for Justice as Sentence Sparks Debate
Outside the courtroom, Elianne’s family expressed their disappointment with the sentencing, calling it insufficient for such a heinous crime.
Pastor Mark Rossell, speaking on behalf of the grieving family, stated, “We cannot accept that such lenient sentences are appropriate for violent, calculated crimes like this.”
The case has reignited concerns about knife crime and youth violence, with Detective Chief Inspector Becky Woodsford emphasizing the deep pain Elianne’s family continues to endure.
“Since Elianne was taken from them in the most incomprehensible way, they have been driven by a motivation to see her killer brought to justice,” she said.
Kindly follow @surgezircuk on Instagram. On X (Twitter), follow @surgezircuk.
Why you can trust SurgeZirc UK. Learn more about our editorial standards.
