A 17-year-old boy has admitted to killing a schoolgirl in south London last year.

Elianne Andam, 15, was repeatedly stabbed while walking to school in Croydon in September.

She died near a bus stop close to the Whitgift shopping centre during the morning rush hour.

The teenage defendant, who cannot be identified because of his age, pleaded not guilty to murder when he appeared via videolink at the Old Bailey in central London on Thursday morning, instead admitting manslaughter.

The plea was not accepted by prosecutors and a trial will take place from 25 November at the same court.

The boy also denied possessing a blade in a public place.

Police responded to the incident in Wellesley Road on 27 September within two minutes – but Elianne, who was stabbed in the neck, was pronounced dead at the scene at around 9.20am.

Elianne, who went to the Old Palace of John Whitgift School, was attacked with a foot-long knife.

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Speaking in the days after her death, Elianne’s family said “our hearts are broken by the senseless death of our daughter.

“Elianne was the light of our lives. She was bright and funny, with many friends who all adored her.

“She was only 15, and had her whole life ahead of her, with hopes and dreams for the future.”

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