A teenager who stabbed a 15-year-old girl to death in a row over a teddy bear cried in the dock as he was jailed for at least 23 years.

Hassan Sentamu, 18, had a history of attacking girls and carrying knives before he killed Elianne Andam near the Whitgift Centre in central Croydon in September 2023.

Elianne had stood up for his ex-girlfriend, who was her friend.

Following Sentamu’s sentencing at the Old Bailey today, the girl’s father, Michael Andam, told the court how the “thought of her final moments torments me”.

He added that he wondered if she was “hoping I would save her” before telling the court: “I couldn’t protect her.

“That guilt will weigh on my heart for the rest of my life.”

Elianne was repeatedly stabbed in what police described as a “frenzied” attack that was caught on CCTV.

Sentamu, who was 17 at the time, was arrested less than 90 minutes later after getting off a bus.

The boy, of Rowdown Crescent, New Addington, admitted manslaughter but denied murder on the basis of “loss of control” because he has autism.

He was found guilty of murder and possession of a knife in January following a trial at the Old Bailey.

Sentamu had recently broken up with a friend of Elianne’s, whom he had agreed to meet up with to return items, including a teddy bear, that they exchanged while they were going out together, the court heard.

But he instead came armed with a knife, wearing two pairs of gloves and a facemask.

When the ex-girlfriend, who cannot be named for legal reasons, asked for her belongings, she says he refused to hand them over and replied: “I don’t want to hurt you.”

The girl says she then started asking him for her teddy bear before Elianne ran up behind him and grabbed a bag of items that had been returned to him.

She added that Elianne then started “running and laughing as a joke” before Sentamu chased her and stabbed her multiple times.

The day before the killing, he had seen the girls at the Whitgift Centre where they “teased” him and his ex-girlfriend threw water on him.

Seething at the perceived disrespect, he told a friend he could not “let this slide”.

Read more:
Sentamu says he would ‘do it again’, court hears
Elianne Andam posted video on Snapchat before fatal stabbing

In a televised sentencing, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said Elianne, an aspiring lawyer, was a “hard-working, happy girl” with a “radiant smile”.

She told the defendant: “Elianne was 15 when you murdered her, she will always remain just 15, she will never realise the potential of her life.”

His actions were due to his “short temper and aggressive tendencies” which combined with his “deliberate decision to carry a knife,” the judge said.

Sentamu sat with head in his hands in the dock and wiped away tears as he was sentenced to life in prison and told he must serve at least 23 years.

Elianne’s family criticised the sentence outside court, saying it had left them feeling “abandoned and unheard”.

Mark Rossell, a pastor, said on behalf of the family: “We cannot accept such lenient sentences are appropriate for violent calculated crimes like this.”

‘The music has stopped’

Earlier the family described their “living nightmare” in a series of statements read to the court.

Her mother Dorcas Andam said: “Elianne was my world, she was the kindest most loving daughter I could have asked for. She was vibrant, creative and purposeful.

“She loved deeply, loved to sing, braided hair, and always practised new styles. Our home was full of her music, laughter and energy. There was always warmth and joy when Elianne was there.

“Now the music has stopped, the laughter has gon, and all that is left is a deafening silence that echoes through my life.”

Addressing Sentamu, Mrs Andam added: “You brutally murdered her in the most humiliating way in broad daylight.

“Mercilessly killing her on the floor as she begged for mercy. You walked away showing no remorse as if her life meant nothing.

“You did not only kill Elianne, you killed me mentally and emotionally. Your actions were senseless and evil.”

Father speaks of torment

Meanwhile, Elianne’s father told the court: “I close my eyes and see the horror of what she must have endured – the fear, the pain – and it breaks me over and over again.

“No parents should ever have to bury their child, let alone in such a violent and cruel manner. The thought of her final moments torments me – wondering if she was calling out for me, hoping I would save her – but I wasn’t there. I couldn’t protect her.

“That guilt will weigh on my heart for the rest of my life.”

Elianne’s cousin Denzil Larbi told the defendant: “What you did was the most monstrous and evil act that is imaginable. You will forever remain a villain in our story.”

Met Police Detective Chief Inspector Becky Woodsford, who led the investigation, said after sentencing: “Today marks the end of a very long journey for Elianne’s family and friends, and while this is the best outcome they could have hoped for, nothing will ease the immeasurable pain they continue to live with on a daily basis.

“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. Getting to this point has been challenging for them, and I would like to pay testament to their continued dignity, determination and composure.”

The first daily tablet for long-term treatment of endometriosis has been approved for use on the NHS.

The drug could help about a thousand women a year who suffer from the debilitating condition.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended relugolix-estradiol-norethisterone (also known as relugolix combination therapy or Ryeqo) for routine NHS use after initially rejecting the drug.

Endometriosis affects around 1.5 million women in the UK, causing chronic pain and fatigue due to tissue similar to the womb lining growing elsewhere in the body. The cells respond to the menstrual cycle, building up and then breaking down and bleeding, but the blood has no way to escape.

Despite being widespread – one in ten women and girls of reproductive age are affected, according to the World Health Organisation – diagnosis can take around a decade. There is also no known cure, but treatment can ease symptoms.

But current injectable treatments can initially worsen symptoms.

This new tablet starts working faster, can be taken at home, combines all the hormones needed in a single pill and returns hormone levels to previous levels faster when stopped. It also doesn’t require the woman to make regular clinic visits.

It will be available for patients for whom medical and surgical treatments have failed.

Read more:
Like cement on my pelvis – the search for a cure for endometriosis
90-second treatment for heavy periods leaves some needing a hysterectomy

A ‘potential step-change’ in treating endometriosis

Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said: “This new treatment marks a potential step-change in how we manage endometriosis, putting control back in patients’ hands while ensuring value for the taxpayer.

“Instead of travelling to clinics for injections, there is now a daily tablet that can be taken at home.

“The treatment can also be stopped and started more easily, which is particularly important for those planning to have children and for managing side effects. This convenience not only benefits patients but reduces pressure on NHS services.”

The list price for the treatment is £72 for a 28-day supply (excluding VAT).

Dr Sue Mann, NHS national clinical director for women’s health, said: “This first-of-a-kind treatment for endometriosis… will give women greater control of their own health by potentially allowing them to get the treatment they need in the comfort of their own homes, without the need to attend regular appointments.”

Warning: This article contains material some readers may find distressing

Jane* served in the British Army for almost 20 years. It was a career she loved and excelled in, rising through the ranks. But then, she says, it ended when a colleague raped her.

She breaks down as she recalls the night out, almost six years ago.

Jane reported the attack to the Royal Military Police but days later was called into a meeting with officers in her chain of command and accused of flirting with men and drinking too much. Later, she discovered messages they had exchanged calling her a whore.

The military police investigated, but the case never made it to court martial, where military trials are heard – she was told there was an unrealistic chance of conviction.

Her case formed part of a legal process to try to force the previous government to transfer rape investigations in the armed forces to civilian courts, but the change was voted down in parliament.

Now, a high-profile former defence minister, and veteran, who failed to back the move has admitted he got it wrong.

Johnny Mercer has told Sky News that he, and other members of the previous government, must accept their part in the “colossal failure of leadership across all ranks” to deal with sexual abuse in the army.

Three female veterans have shared their stories with Sky News.

A toxic culture where abuse is rife

When 19-year-old soldier Jaysley Beck took her own life in December 2021, hundreds of servicewomen shared their experiences on social media, describing a toxic culture where sexual abuse is not only rife but tolerated.

The inquest into Gunner Beck’s death last month found she had been sexually assaulted and then failed by the army when she reported it. This prompted the change of heart from Johnny Mercer.

“I should have argued harder for serious and sexual offences to be taken away from the MoD to civilian police,” he told Sky News. He has now called on the current government to act, saying “now is the time to make that change”.

Hayley* was a new recruit when she reported witnessing a female colleague being sexually assaulted by a senior officer.

She said at first “he didn’t say anything”. Then “he dragged me by the back of my coat, up the stairs to the office. I knew I couldn’t keep up, and I remember falling over my knees, like dragging on the floor”.

She continued: “He stood over me with his finger right in my face, screaming and swearing – like he was screaming so much he was spitting – and he was saying ‘don’t you dare speak about that ever again’.

“I remember thinking there’s girls who are at risk here, anything can happen to them and nobody cares.”

Months later, she was woken up by a male colleague climbing into her bed.

“He was trying to kiss my face and touch me,” she said, her voice trembling. “I was moving my head and saying: ‘you need to go’.”

She reported it to the Royal Military Police.

“I remember them being so condescending.”

They asked her if she had been drinking, if she had locked her door and if she had encouraged him.

“It did eventually get dropped because there wasn’t enough evidence against him.”

‘I was left with bruising on my neck’

Michelle, who left the army in 2020 after 11 years that included active service in Afghanistan, said sexual harassment went on “all the time”.

“I’ve had my breasts grabbed by people…Guys when I’ve walked upstairs have looked up my skirt to see if I’m wearing underwear,” she said.

“Disgusting stuff like that”.

Jane said her attacker was someone she knew.

“He was trying to kiss me, and I was pushing him away. He grabbed at my throat and was pushing me down on to this blow-up bed. And then he was trying to put his penis in my mouth,” she said.

“I had bruising to both my arms and also on my neck.

“It was the worst experience I’ve ever been through. I loved my career and never wanted to leave my job. I nearly lost everything, including my mental health. I wanted to end it all.”

The Royal Military Police investigated but the case did not go to court martial because, Jane was told, there was an unrealistic possibility of conviction.

Call to remove sexual offences from military court

Campaigners have been urging politicians for years to remove sexual offence cases from the military justice system.

“The conviction rate for cases that get to court martial for rapes and serious sexual assault is far lower than the equivalent figures in the Crown Court,” said Emma Norton, a lawyer who established the Centre for Military Justice.

“That, on the face of it, is a serious difference that is completely unjustifiable.”

In opposition, Labour backed the proposal to transfer serious and sexual offences out of military courts. Sky News asked the Ministry of Defence (MoD) if it intends to make the legal change but it did not reply to the question.

A spokesperson for the MoD said: “There is no place for bullying, harassment or discrimination in the military. This government is totally committed to making the reforms that are needed to stamp out inappropriate behaviour and hold people to account.”

Their experiences have left many women conflicted about their time in the army.

“I had some of the best and also worst times of my life… that’s hard to reconcile,” said Hayley.

“I don’t want to look back and feel sorry for myself, but I feel the younger version of myself was severely let down by the people who were in authority at the time.

“It’s not acceptable for this to be happening.”

*Names have been changed

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK