Teen’s White-Hot Anger Over Teddy Bear Ends in Tragedy

A teenager who fatally stabbed his ex-girlfriend’s friend in the neck was driven by “white-hot anger” after an argument over a teddy bear, a court has heard, reported by the Independent.

The victim, Elianne Andam, 15, was killed during a meeting in Croydon town centre on September 27 to exchange belongings following the breakup of her friend and the defendant, Hassan Sentamu, 18.

The Old Bailey was told that Sentamu lashed out when Elianne took back a plastic bag meant for her friend after he arrived empty-handed.

Prosecutor Alex Chalk KC said: “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”, according to the Sky.

The court heard that Sentamu, 17 at the time of the incident, had travelled to the Whitgift Centre in Croydon from New Addington armed with a knife. The meeting’s purpose was to exchange belongings, particularly a teddy bear that belonged to his ex-girlfriend, whose identity is protected for legal reasons.

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

When Sentamu failed to bring the belongings, Elianne intervened on her friend’s behalf. Mr Chalk described the moment: “At around 8.30am whilst 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 court heard how Sentamu chased Elianne, cornered her, and repeatedly stabbed her with a kitchen knife. Mr Chalk said: “He drove the knife 12cm into her neck, severing the carotid artery and causing injuries that were unsurvivable.”

Despite the rapid arrival of emergency services and nearly an hour of intensive efforts, Elianne tragically died at the scene.

Sentamu has admitted to manslaughter but denies murder, claiming he acted out of “loss of control” due to his autism. He also denies possessing a blade, arguing he had a “lawful reason” for carrying it.

The trial, overseen by Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, continues at the Old Bailey, where the jury will determine whether anger or loss of control led to the fatal attack.