Elianne Andam mural unveiled one year after stabbing

A mural remembering 15-year-old Elianne Andam who was fatally stabbed at a bus stop in central Croydon, south London, last September has been revealed.

The mural, a painted picture of Elianne smiling, marks a year since a 17-year-old boy attacked her as she made her way to school.

Her death shocked the community at the time, and hundreds braved the weather on Friday to gather for a service to celebrate Elianne's life and Christian faith.

Community members have been singing, praying and reading out tributes.

Her cousin, Rev Denzil Larbi, addressed the crowds and called for an end to knife violence.

"Every time you see her beautiful face, remember how beautiful her life was and how beautiful every child’s life is.

"But, when you walk past the mural I want you to hear her screaming 'put the knives down'," he said.

Elianne's mum, Dorcas Andam, thanked everyone for coming and said her daughter's life had been "filled with love light and boundless potential".

She said she wanted people to see the mural and remember "the person she was and that she lived a very happy life, rather than how she died".

Sonja Jessup, BBC London's Home Affairs correspondent at the scene, said it was "moving to see the numbers here, even in heavy rain, huddled under umbrellas, determined to pay tribute to her and also show their love to her family".

"People listened quietly, some comforting one another, as hymns were sung and the family spoke of their memories and how they wanted an end to violence."

The mural was designed by Alec Saunders and is located by the bus stop where Elianne died and is just a few minutes walk from London Road, an an area that has long been notorious for drug dealing and violence.

The teenage boy, who cannot be named because of his age, pleaded guilty to her manslaughter but denied murder in March.

The plea was not accepted by prosecutors and a trial is set to take place in November.

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

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