The popular schoolgirl was stabbed in the neck outside the Whitgift centre in Croydon, south-east London.
A young man has been found guilty of murdering 15-year-old Elianne Andam in a row over a teddy bear.
Hassan Sentamu, 18, had a history of attacking girls and carrying knives before he stabbed the popular schoolgirl in the neck outside the Whitgift centre in Croydon, south-east London.
Amid the public shock and outcry at the killing, rap star Stormzy joined members of the community at a candlit vigil for Elianne who aspired to become a human rights lawyer.
At Sentamu’s trial, the prosecution claimed the teenager had reacted to being splashed with water the day before and had lashed out at Elianne in a fit of “white hot” rage.
Prosecutor Alex Chalk KC said: “He was angry on September 27, having brooded on the insult and he took the knife to the scene to reassert dominance.
“He exacted vengeance on a young girl clearly running away from him and posing no threat.”
The defendant, who admitted manslaughter, claimed his autism affected his ability to exercise self control and was therefore not guilty of murder.
However, the prosecution rejected the assertion saying neither his autism nor his troubled background provided an excuse for murder.
The trial heard Sentamu had a long history of volatile and violent behaviour, having been cautioned for taking a knife to school, and, while awaiting trial for Elianne’s murder, threatened to “do it again”.
Following a three-week Old Bailey trial a jury found Sentamu, from New Addington, near Croydon, guilty of murder by a majority of 10 to two and unanimously guilty of possession of a blade.
There were shouts of “yes” and “murderer” from the public gallery as the jury delivered the verdicts after deliberating for 11 hours and 42 minutes.
