A 17-YEAR-old accused of murdering schoolgirl Elianne Andam will enter a plea next week, a court has heard.

The teenage boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly stabbed 15-year-old Elianne as she made her way to school on 27 September 2023.

Elianne, a pupil at the Old Palace of John Whitgift School, was fatally stabbed at around 8.30 am on Wellesley Road, Croydon.

Ambulance and police officers rushed to the incident within two minutes, but the schoolgirl was sadly pronounced dead at the scene at around 9.20am.

The suspect was held in nearby New Addington and was later charged with Elianne’s murder and possession of a knife.

The 15-year-old’s family and friends described her as the “light of our lives” and said she was “beautiful” and “funny.”

In October, thousands of mourners including Stormzy gathered for a candlelit vigil in Croydon, London, at the scene where Elianne was stabbed to death

Relatives and community members at the vigil left cards, flowers and photos at the Croydon bus stop where the teenager was fatally attacked.

Last year, The Old Palace of John Whitgift School said in a statement: “We are deeply shocked by the senseless and tragic death of our much-loved and valued friend and pupil.

“It will take some time for the Old Palace community to come to terms with this terrible news, and we will offer support to our pupils as we try to do so.

“Above all, we send our love and deepest sympathies to the girl’s family at this unimaginably distressing time.”