New footage has been released showing the moments before a teenager fatally stabbed a 15-year-old schoolgirl in a fit of “white-hot anger”, a court has heard.

Hassan Sentamu, 18, lashed out at Elianne Andam with a kitchen knife in Croydon town centre after a row over her friend’s teddy bear, the Old Bailey was told.

Jurors heard that Sentamu plunged his knife into Elianne’s neck after losing his temper at perceived “disrespect”, rather than returning the toy belonging to Elianne’s friend, as part of an item swap.

Image:
Elianne Andam posted a Snapchat video moments before being stabbed by Hassan Sentamu. Met Police

Sentamu, who was 17 years old at the time of the attack in September 2023, has admitted manslaughter but denied Elianne’s murder, claiming a “loss of control” because he has autism.

CCTV footage captured a meeting the day before the killing, between Sentamu and his ex-girlfriend who threw water on him, jurors heard.

The following day a Snapchat video by Elianne Andam showed her frustration with Sentamu. Separate CCTV footage next to a bus stop in Croydon showed a confrontation between the pair and Sentamu then running after her.

CCTV footage of Elianne Andam seizing a plastic bag from Hassan Sentamu in Croydon, who then chased after her and stabbed her. Pic: Met Police
Image:
CCTV footage showed Elianne Andam (blue arrow) seizing a bag from Hassan Sentamu, who then gave chase. Pic: Met Police

CCTV footage of Hassan Sentamu chasing Elianne Andam before stabbing her. Pic: Met Police
Image:
Hassan Sentamu (grey arrow) could be seen running after Elianne Andam (blue arrow), moments before she was stabbed. Pic: Met Police

Prosecutor Alex Chalk KC told 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.”

The defendant was already armed with the kitchen knife when he took the bus from his home in New Addington, south London, to the Whitgift Centre on the morning of 27 September 2023, jurors heard.

Body worn footage of Hassan Sentamu being arrested following the fatal stabbing of Elianne Andam. Pic: Met Police
Image:
Body worn footage of Hassan Sentamu being arrested following the fatal stabbing of Elianne Andam. Pic: Met Police

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

During the meeting in a car park at the shopping centre, Sentamu’s ex-girlfriend, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, stuck with her side of the bargain.

She handed over a plastic bag containing his belongings but the defendant arrived empty-handed, jurors were told.

Mr Chalk said: “Elianne was aggrieved on her friend’s behalf. So, 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 defendant chased after her, cornered her and used the kitchen knife to stab her repeatedly.”

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Mr Chalk said that Sentamu had pleaded not guilty to murder on the basis that his responsibility was diminished having been diagnosed with autism in 2020.

He also 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 impact “adverse” childhood experiences can have.

But Mr Chalk asserted that neither amounted to an “excuse, justification or defence”.

The trial at the Old Bailey continues.