Drama unfolded as a 17-year-old youth appeared before the Old Bailey for the first time charged with the 15-year-old’s murder and possessing a knife.
Elianne’s aunt Marian left the room as Alison Morgan KC, prosecuting, told how the youngster was killed on her way to school a week ago.
Court staff comforted Marian and gave her a glass of water when she returned to the room several minutes later. The public gallery was packed with family members who saw the defendant for the first time.
Wearing a black top and dark trousers, the youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, spoke to confirm his name and date of birth.
Ms Morgan said Elianne suffered “multiple stab wounds” and added: “It was, the prosecution allege, a brutal attack.”
Judge Mark Lucraft, the Recorder of London, remanded the accused into youth custody. He said: “This afternoon I have set out the timetable for your case, working towards a trial date in April.
“I have remanded you into youth detention. The next hearing in this case will be on December 19 of
this year.”
Elianne, a pupil at £19,000-a-year Old Palace of John Whitgift School, Croydon, was attacked at a bus stop in the South London borough.
She died still wearing her smart green uniform despite attempts to save her by a bus driver and a member of the public.
