Autism no excuse for killing schoolgirl, jury told

A troubled childhood and autism are no excuse for the "frenzied" fatal stabbing of 15-year-old Elianne Andam, jurors have been told.

Hassan Sentamu, 18, is accused of attacking Elianne during a row over a teddy bear outside the Whitgift Centre in Croydon, south London, on 27 September 2023.

The defendant, who declined to give evidence during his trial at the Old Bailey, claimed his autism spectrum disorder caused him to lose control during the meeting to exchange belongings with his ex-girlfriend, who was Elianne's friend.

He has admitted manslaughter, but denies murder on the basis of diminished responsibility.

The prosecution told the court Mr Sentamu, who was 17 at the time, flew into a rage and had no lawful excuse for having a kitchen knife, having picked it up at home after an earlier incident of perceived disrespect.

Prosecutor Alex Chalk KC said: "He exacted vengeance on a young girl clearly running away from him and posing no threat."

In his closing speech on Friday, Mr Chalk said the defence had built its case on "flimsy foundations".

There was no evidence that autism caused Mr Sentamu to lash out in "frenzied murderous violence", the court was told.

The court previously heard that Mr Sentamu reported being physically abused as a child.

He went on to engage in a catalogue of incidents of violent and aggressive behaviour, including taking a knife to school, the court heard.

Referring to the troubled background heard during the trial, Mr Chalk said: "We for the prosecution acknowledge with compassion that Hassan Sentamu has on any view had a difficult and disrupted childhood."

But the prosecutor said the teenager's background could not sensibly be used as an "excuse" for the murder of the "defenceless" victim.

Defence barrister Pavlos Panayi KC said there were "two sides of the coin" as he set out Mr Sentamu's case.

Mr Panayi suggested a "central issue" in the case was Mr Sentamu's autism and symptoms.

He added that Mr Sentamu's "brutal" early life experiences were not a "get out" pass.

The trial continues.

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