In a case that has shocked the UK and beyond, Ugandan-born teenager Hassan Sentamu has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of 15-year-old Elianne Andam. Sentamu, now 18, will serve a minimum of 23 years for stabbing Elianne to death in a fit of rage outside a shopping centre in Croydon, south London, in September 2023.
The sentencing, delivered by Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb at the Old Bailey, described the crime as “senseless and evil.”
Sentamu, who had a history of violence and knife possession, killed Elianne in broad daylight, leaving her family shattered and demanding tougher justice.
A Life Cut Short
Elianne Andam, described by her family as a vibrant, creative, and loving teenager, was stabbed repeatedly by Sentamu after a dispute over a teddy bear.
The attack, witnessed by other children, shoppers, and commuters, has left her family in a “living nightmare.”
In a heart-wrenching statement, Elianne’s mother, Dorcas Andam, said: “Elianne was my world. She was the kindest, most loving daughter I could have asked for. Now, the music has stopped, the laughter has gone—all that is left is a deafening silence.”
Her father, Michael Andam, added: “I close my eyes and see the horror of what she must have endured—the fear, the pain. I couldn’t protect her. That guilt will weigh on my heart for the rest of my life.”
The Crime: A “White-Hot” Rage
The court heard that Sentamu, who had recently broken up with one of Elianne’s friends, lashed out in a “white-hot” rage after feeling disrespected.
The day before the murder, he had been teased by Elianne and her friends at the Whitgift shopping centre.
On the day of the killing, Sentamu armed himself with a knife, donned a mask and gloves, and met Elianne under the pretence of exchanging a teddy bear for his clothes.
When Elianne stood up for her friend, Sentamu chased her down and stabbed her repeatedly as she lay on the ground, begging for mercy.
A Troubled Past
Sentamu’s history of violence and aggression was laid bare during the trial. At just 12 years old, he received a police caution for bringing a knife to school.
He had also been known to put girls in headlocks and threaten harm to animals.
Even after his arrest, Sentamu showed no remorse.
While detained at Oakhill Secure Training Centre, he told a fellow detainee: “I’ll do it again. I’ll do it to your mum. Do you want to end up like her, six feet under?”
Elianne’s Family’s Outcry
Despite the life sentence, Elianne’s family expressed dissatisfaction with the minimum 23-year term, calling it too lenient for such a “violent, calculated crime.”
Pastor Mark Rossell, speaking on behalf of the family, said: “The justice system has failed to reflect the sheer brutality of Elianne’s killing. We cannot accept such lenient sentences for crimes like this.”
The case has reignited debates about knife crime, youth violence, and the adequacy of sentencing in the UK.
For Elianne’s family, the fight for justice continues as they grapple with the unimaginable loss of their daughter.
As Sentamu begins his life sentence, the memory of Elianne Andam—a bright, loving teenager with her whole life ahead of her—will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.
