Father Of Elianne Andam Makes Statement Outside Old Bailey Original Video M265256

Evening Standard

Transcript

00:00Hello, my name is Rebecca Woodsford, I'm the Senior Investigating Officer into this investigation.

00:16I'm just going to say a very short few words before I pass you over to Eliane's father,

00:20Michael.

00:21So today, Hassan Sentamu has been convicted of murder and unlawful possession of a knife.

00:27The evidence in this case included extensive CCTV footage, forensics and witness testimonies.

00:34This overwhelming evidence meant that from an early stage, Hassan Sentamu admitted killing

00:40Eliane.

00:42His claim is that he acted through diminished responsibility and that was never accepted

00:47by the prosecution team.

00:49And today the jury agreed and they found him guilty of Eliane's murder.

00:54We worked together as a team and during our investigation we've had the opportunity from

01:00Michael and Dorcas and Eliane's family to learn what a bright, funny and happy person

01:06Eliane was.

01:08On the morning of the 27th of September 2023, Hassan arranged to meet his ex-girlfriend

01:12to exchange belongings.

01:14This included a teddy bear and love letters.

01:18We heard that Eliane was aggrieved on behalf of her friend and she simply wanted to get

01:22to school on time.

01:24Outside a very busy Whitgift centre, in rush hour, she took back that bag from Hassan.

01:30She was laughing as she took the bag.

01:33It was a gesture of solidarity with her friend that shockingly cost Eliane her life, who

01:38was just 15 years old.

01:41Sentamu's decision to bring a kitchen knife to that meeting meant the consequence of his

01:46violent outburst were utterly devastating.

01:50We have heard about an incident the day before which caused him to seethe to say that he

01:56could not let this lie.

01:58The jury were also told this was an act of white hot anger.

02:04But throughout this trial we've heard about many acts of bravery which is what I want

02:07to concentrate on and I want to highlight those.

02:11We heard from the bus driver who ran to Eliane's side, he tried to save her life and he held

02:17her hand and he said he wouldn't leave her and that she would be okay.

02:22We heard from the police officers in Croydon who fought to save Eliane.

02:26They performed CPR until they were exhausted and we've heard from the arresting officer

02:32who rushed to arrest Hassan alone, not knowing that he'd discarded and hidden that knife

02:38in order to try and protect the public from a dangerous male.

02:42Of course we've heard about the bravery of Eliane who stood up for her friend and was

02:47doing what was right and finally Eliane's family who've shown true resilience and bravery

02:53throughout this criminal justice process and I hope that today's verdict starts the journey

02:58of a healing process for them as well as Eliane's claims and the wider community of Croydon

03:03and I'm now going to pass you to Michael who's supported by our family liaison officers.

03:12On September 27, 2023, our world was shattered and our hearts were broken by the senseless

03:22and violent loss of our beloved daughter Eliane Andam.

03:27At just 15 years old, she had her whole life ahead of her, filled with hopes and dreams

03:36for the future, all cruelly taken away from her and from us.

03:43Her death has left a void in our lives that can never be filled.

03:52This trial has been our fight for justice, forcing us to confront the devastating details

03:58of Eliane's final moment, details that will remain with us forever.

04:06While today's verdict acknowledges the full extent of his actions, it cannot bring Eliane

04:14back to us.

04:18The verdict today is a first step towards justice for Eliane but also a message that

04:24violence and knife crime, especially towards young women, will not go unanswered.

04:33Today we choose not to dwell on the pain of the trial but instead to honour Eliane's memory.

04:42Eliane was a bright, kind and loving soul who embraced life, her faith and her belief

04:51in standing up for what was right.

04:55We think about her every moment of every day, cherishing her love and the joy she brought

05:02to everyone around her.

05:07We are deeply grateful to our family, friends, church, local community, our legal team and

05:16the countless well-wishers who have supported us with their prayers, love and encouragement.

05:25Your kindness has been a source of strength during this unimaginable journey.

05:34As we begin the long process of healing, we reflect on this verdict not as an end but

05:42as a step towards change.

05:45We will continue to fight against the violence that took Eliane from us, sharing her story

05:51and working towards a world where no family has to endure such heartbreak.

05:59Thank you for standing with us in love and solidarity.

06:04We ask for privacy as we grieve and strive to find peace.

06:09Eliane's life mattered and her legacy will live on in our hearts forever.

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