A teenager accused of murdering 15-year-old Elianne Andam will not give evidence at his trial, jurors at the Old Bailey were told as the judge sent them away for Christmas. Hassan Sentamu, 18, denies murder on the grounds his responsibility was diminished due to autism, and claims he had a ‘lawful’ reason for taking a knife to Croydon town centre on September 27, 2023.
Elianne was stabbed to death in the street after grabbing a plastic bag from Sentamu in a ‘gesture of solidarity’ with her friend, whose teddy bear Sentamu failed to bring to a post-breakup item exchange. Sentamu was arrested 90 minutes later near his home in Rowdown Crescent, New Addington, after fleeing the scene, disposing of the knife, and binning his face mask and gloves.
As the trial began on December 11, jurors heard prosecutor Alex Chalk KC’s opening and were shown key bits of CCTV footage. On the second day (December 12) the court heard from witnesses and first responders, then watched a video of Sentamu’s ex-girlfriend under police questioning. On the third day (December 13) jurors heard the same witness on a pre-recorded cross examination.
Hassan Sentamu was arrested near his home on Rowdown Crescent in New Addington
(Image: MPS)
Police interview footage and a recorded cross examination from another of Elianne’s friends played out on the fourth day (December 14), while the same was heard in relation to Sentamu’s friend on the fifth day (December 16). More evidence was heard from Sentamu’s friend on day six (December 17), followed by evidence of the text messages sent by the parties in the case.
Then on the seventh day of the trial (December 18), jurors heard the agreed facts in the case, detailing Sentamu’s upbringing and background. Defence counsel Pavlos Panayi KC also told jurors his client would not be giving evidence.
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb warned the jury not to do their own research over the Christmas break, but told them to expect psychiatric evidence when the trial resumes on January 6.
In her festive parting message to jurors, the judge said: “It’s a season of peace and good will. I hope you find peace and good will in the time you have off.”
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