A 17-year-old boy has admitted killing 15-year-old private schoolgirl Elianne Andam who he stabbed at a bus stop in south London.
Elianne was knifed as she made her way to the Old Palace of John Whitgift School on September 27.
The 17-year-old defendant, who cannot be identified because of his age, pleaded not guilty to murder when he appeared by videolink at the Old Bailey this morning, instead admitting manslaughter.
The plea was not accepted by prosecutors, and a trial will take place from November 25 at the same court.
The boy also denied possessing a blade in a public place.
Elianne Andam, 15, was knifed as she made her way to the Old Palace of John Whitgift School on September 27
The 17-year-old defendant, who cannot be identified because of his age, pleaded not guilty to murdering Elianne (pictured) when he appeared by videolink at the Old Bailey, instead admitting manslaughter
Elianne had met two female friends before she was attacked.
It is claimed her attacker, wearing a mask and gloves, removed a large knife from his waistband and stabbed Elianne repeatedly.
As he fled the scene, others attempted to administer first aid but she could not be saved.
The defendant was arrested in New Addington at 9.45am the same day.
Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC previously said: ‘It was, the prosecution allege, a brutal attack.’
The Year 11 pupil was killed after getting off a double-decker bus on Wellsley Road and trying to protect a friend. Police and paramedics arrived shortly after 8.30am but were unable to save Elianne and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ms Morgan, KC, told a 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.
Family and friends of Elianne at the scene in Croydon, south London, in September 2023 where the 15-year-old was stabbed to death
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
Elianne’s aunt Marian told MailOnline of their grief today as it emerged her mother is an NHS children’s nurse who was paying for her daughter to go to a top school for a better life
Police officers laying flowers at the scene and taking a moment to reflect
Cards left for Elianne at the scene of the stabbing – less than a mile from the school gates
More tributes in memory of Elianne were laid at the scene of the stabbing in September
‘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.
Actor Idris Elba was among those to pay tribute to Elianne and warned that the UK ‘needs to enforce tougher punishments’ on carrying weapons.
Writing alongside a prayer emoji, Elba said in September: ‘Sending my condolences to the family of Elianne Andam at this very sad time.
Her family, who had been called to the scene, rushed down to the bus stop but she died at 9.21am – before they could say goodbye.
A tragic statement issued by the family at the time described their ‘beautiful’ child Elianne as the ‘light of our lives’.
‘She was bright and funny, with many friends who all adored her,’ it said. ‘She was only 15, and had her whole life ahead of her, with hopes and dreams for the future.
‘All those dreams have now been shattered. Our lives have fallen apart, along with that of our wider family.’
Her funeral was held in November with her coffin brought to the service at the New Life Christian Centre in Croydon in a white carriage drawn by four white horses with pink plumes.
