Boy murdered Elianne Andam in ‘white hot anger’ after teddy bear row, court docket informed | EUROtoday

A teenage boy stabbed 15-year-old Elianne Andam to demise in a match of “white-hot anger” at perceived “disrespect in public by girls” after failing handy over her pal’s teddy bear, a court docket has heard.

Hassan Sentamu, 18, lashed out at Elianne with a kitchen knife throughout a prearranged assembly in Croydon city centre together with his ex-girlfriend and her group, the Old Bailey was informed because the trial over her homicide trial opened on Monday.

Rather than returning a teddy bear as a part of a belongings swap, the 18-year-old plunged his blade into Elianne’s neck, having misplaced his mood at what he noticed as “disrespect”, jurors heard.

The defendant, who was finding out sports activities science at Croydon College, has admitted manslaughter however denied Elianne’s homicide on the premise of “loss of control” as a result of he has autism.

Prosecutor Alex Chalk KC informed jurors: “Having heard the evidence you may feel that the catalyst for this dreadful attack was rather more simple: anger. White-hot anger at having been disrespected in public by girls, both by Elianne on the day of the killing and previously.”

About 10 days earlier than the killing, Sentamu had damaged up together with his girlfriend by textual content, telling her: “Ur energy is dead I’m not rdy for a relationship…all the best (sic).”

When she requested for her teddy bear again, he replied: “You can collect your ting on Wednesday before skl I’m gonna need my s*** tho from the clothes to the pillows and flowers (sic).”

He appeared to grow to be more and more impatient, telling her: “Ur wasting my time do you want your thingy or not?

“If everything isn’t in the bag your not gonna get your dumb little bear. (sic).”

The court docket heard the woman had reported again to her buddies, with Elianne commenting: “He’s so rude.”

The day earlier than the killing, Sentamu had met the women on the Whitgift Centre the place they “teased” him and his ex-girlfriend threw water on him, jurors heard.

He was splashed once more and not less than one of many ladies joked that “tomorrow he would kill them all”, Mr Chalk mentioned.

That evening, Sentamu “brooded” about what occurred and allegedly informed a pal: “Bro, I can’t let this slide.”

The defendant, then aged 17, was already armed with the kitchen knife when he took the bus from his residence in New Addington, south London, to the Whitgift Centre on the morning of final 27 September, jurors heard.

He was on his approach to a gathering together with his ex-girlfriend, who he had break up up with about 10 days earlier than, and her group of buddies, which included Elianne.

Mr Chalk informed jurors: “The purpose of the meeting was to exchange belongings. [The ex-girlfriend] in particular was anxious to recover her teddy bear.”

During the assembly in a parking lot on the Whitgift buying centre, Sentamu’s ex-girlfriend, who can’t be recognized for authorized causes, caught along with her aspect of the discount. She handed over a plastic bag containing his belongings – however the defendant arrived empty-handed, jurors have been informed.

Mr Chalk mentioned: “Elianne was aggrieved on her friend’s behalf. So, at around 8.30am while Hassan was walking outside the Whitgift Centre, Elianne took the plastic bag back. It was a gesture of solidarity with [her friend] that cost Elianne her life.

“The defendant chased after her, cornered her and used the kitchen knife to stab her repeatedly. He drove the knife 12cm into her neck, severing the carotid artery and causing injuries that were unsurvivable.

“Despite the rapid arrival of the emergency services and intensive efforts over the course of nearly an hour, Elianne died at the scene.”

CCTV footage captured the assault, Sentamu working from the scene and disposing of the knife.

He solely obtained so far as the bus cease close to his residence earlier than being arrested lower than 90 minutes later, the court docket was informed.

Mr Chalk mentioned the defendant didn’t deny wielding the knife and inflicting Elianne’s demise within the face of “overwhelming” proof towards him.

He mentioned that Sentamu had pleaded not responsible to homicide on the premise that his accountability was diminished having been identified with autism in 2020.

He additionally denies having a blade claiming he had a “lawful reason” for carrying it.

The prosecution acknowledged “with compassion” the challenges posed by autism and the impression “adverse” childhood experiences can have.

But Mr Chalk asserted that neither amounted to an “excuse, justification or defence” for Elianne’s homicide.

Sentamu had a “short fuse” and on the day of the killing, he got here to the top of it, jurors heard.

The prosecutor mentioned: “His calculated decision to bring a knife to the scene meant that the consequences of that outburst for Elianne and her family were utterly devastating.”

Mr Chalk mentioned the sufferer was a well-liked schoolgirl and in accordance with certainly one of her buddies: “Everybody loved Elianne.”

Members of Elianne’s household sat within the nicely of the court docket as Mr Chalk outlined the case towards Sentamu.

The Old Bailey trial earlier than Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb continues.