Pictured: Identity of teenager accused of stabbing 15-year-old schoolgirl Elianne Andam at bus stop is revealed for the first time as he turns 18

The teenager accused of stabbing 15-year-old school girl Elianne Andam at a bus stop in South London can be named and pictured for the first time as he turns 18.

Hassan Sentamu is charged with murdering Elianne on Wellesley Road, near the Whitgift Centre, at around 8.30am on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. Sentamu was 17 at the time, so could not legally be named.

Elianne had met two female friends before she was knifed. It is alleged that Sentamu, wearing a mask and gloves, removed a large knife from his waistband and stabbed Elianne repeatedly.

As he left the scene, others attempted to give first aid but she could not be saved and died at 9.21am – before her family, who rushed to the scene, could say goodbye. A special post-mortem examination showed she had suffered multiple stab wounds.

Mr Sentamu was arrested in New Addington at 9.45am the same day, the court heard.

Elianne was a student at Old Palace of John Whitgift, a private school for girls, around half a mile away from where she was stabbed. 

At his last appearance at the Old Bailey in March this year, Sentamu admitted killing the year 11 pupil, by pleading to manslaughter, but denied her murder. The plea was not accepted by the prosecution and a trial was fixed for this November

Elianne (pictured) had met two female friends before she was knifed. It is alleged that Sentamu, wearing a mask and gloves, removed a large knife from his waistband and stabbed Elianne repeatedly 

Family and friends of Elianne Andam at the scene of the stabbing in Croydon, south London

The coffin of Elianne Andam arrives for her funeral at the New Life Christian Centre, Croydon, in November

The school was ‘deeply shocked’ by her death and described her as a ‘much-loved and valued friend and pupil’. Elianne’s aunty, Marian, said she had dreams of becoming a lawyer and was a keen gymnast.

At his last appearance at the Old Bailey in March this year, Sentamu admitted killing the year 11 pupil, by pleading to manslaughter, but denied her murder. 

The plea was not accepted by the prosecution and a trial was fixed for this November.

Sentamu also denied possessing a blade in a public place. At an earlier hearing, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC called it a ‘brutal attack’.

Ms Morgan also said at the previous hearing that a friend of Elianne had just ended a relationship with the defendant and they arranged to meet that morning.

She said: ‘The purpose of the meeting was to facilitate the defendant and (his ex-girlfriend) exchanging possessions.

‘The defendant arrived with black gloves and a face mask. In coming to the meeting he had armed himself with a large knife which he was carrying with him.’

Ms Morgan said the defendant’s ex-girlfriend handed over his belongings but he did not hand hers over.

‘Elianne took it upon herself to challenge the defendant and ask for the property,’ Ms Morgan said.

She then ran past and grabbed the Tesco carrier bag.

The school was ‘deeply shocked’ by her death and described her as a ‘much-loved and valued friend and pupil’

A forensic investigator onboard the bus where the argument is believed to have started 

Family and friends of Elianne at the scene in Croydon, south London, where the 15-year-old was stabbed to death

Privacy screens and a tent outside the Whitgift centre in Croydon while a bus sits beside the pavement nearby

After her death, Elianne’s family said in a statement: ‘We as a family are struggling to comprehend this painful tragedy that has happened to our beautiful daughter and beloved sister Elianne. Our hearts are broken.

‘Elianne was a beautiful person inside and out who loved Jesus. She was intelligent, thoughtful, kind and had a bright future ahead. It is our request that you keep our cherished daughter Elianne and our family in your thoughts and prayers.’

A murder trial is due to begin at the Old Bailey on November 25.