A TEENAGE boy has admitted killing 15-year-old schoolgirl Elianne Andam who was stabbed at a bus stop in Croydon, last year.

The popular schoolgirl was stabbed at a bus stop on Wellesley Road, on 27 September at about 8.30am as she made her way to school, the Old Bailey heard.

The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to her manslaughter but denied murder.

The boy appeared via video link at the hearing at the Old Bailey.

The plea was not accepted by prosecutors, and a trial is set to take place in November at the same court.

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

Elianne had met two female friends before she was fatally stabbed, the court heard.

The suspect was held in nearby New Addington  at 9.30am on the same day and was later charged with Elianne’s murder and possession of a knife.

Beautiful and funny

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.”