Hassan Sentamu, 18, stabbed Elianne with a knife “in white-hot anger” over perceived disrespect as she stood up for her friend, his ex-girlfriend.
During his trial prosecutor Alex Chalk KC told jurors Semantu was already armed with the kitchen knife when he took the bus from his home in New Addington to the Whitgift Centre on the morning of last September 27.
He was on his way to a meeting with his ex-girlfriend, who he had split up with about 10 days before, and her group of friends, which included Elianne.
Mr Chalk told jurors: “The purpose of the meeting was to exchange belongings. (The ex-girlfriend) in particular was anxious to recover her teddy bear.”
During the meeting in a car park at the Whitgift shopping centre, Sentamu’s ex-girlfriend, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, stuck with her side of the bargain.
She handed over a plastic bag containing his belongings but the defendant arrived empty-handed, jurors were told.
Mr Chalk said: “Elianne was aggrieved on her friend’s behalf. So, at around 8.30am whilst Hassan was walking outside the Whitgift Centre, Elianne took the plastic bag back.
“It was a gesture of solidarity with (her friend) that cost Elianne her life.
“The defendant chased after her, cornered her and used the kitchen knife to stab her repeatedly.
“He drove the knife 12cm into her neck, severing the carotid artery and causing injuries that were unsurvivable.
“Despite the rapid arrival of the emergency services and intensive efforts over the course of nearly an hour, Elianne died at the scene.”
