“Obsessed” killer Halefom Weldeyohannes, of Exeter Drive, Sheffield, claimed to be in love with tragic Yordanos Brhane but horrifically murdered her when she said she had no romantic interest in him.

The 19-year-old told the knifeman she saw him more like a brother

Weldeyohannes, 26, stabbed the teenager – who left her native Eritrea for a “better life” – 15 times, strangled her for 15 to 30 seconds and then tried to set fire to her clothes on July 31 last year.

Weldeyohannes, also from Eritrea, was jailed for life on Tuesday (August 23) and told he would serve at least 21 years behind bars

Weldeyohannes was initially due to stand trial yesterday (Mon) accused of murder, but instead admitted his guilt.

Yordanos was found dead at her home in Birmingham on July 31, 2021. Her killer had fled the scene of the brutal murder and caught a train to Sheffield in blood-soaked clothes.

He was arrested in Stoke-on-Trent the next day. It is believed he was trying to fund his escape from the country.

Christopher Quinlan QC, prosecuting, told the court: “He murdered Yordanos in her bedroom. He left her on the bed dying and made his way to New Street railway station

Weldeyohannes and Yordanos grew up in the same village in Eritrea and arrived in the UK in 2020.

Mr Quinlan said Weldeyohannes had asked another man to send her “false” messages to see whether she had feelings for him prior to the murder.

He then contacted Yordonas to apologise for what he had done and told her he was in love with her

Mr Quinlan said he told the victim he wanted to meet her but she told him not to come. He ignored her wishes and travelled to Birmingham by train.

They met and travelled by bus to her home. Mr Quinlan said one of the victim’s housemates was later awoken by Yordonas’s screams

He said: “Before that she had received two text messages from Yordanos.

She went to Yordanos’s room and knocked twice on the door.

She opened it and stood in the doorway. She saw Yordanos who was lying on the floor with the defendant on top of her. He had both hands around her neck gripping her tightly.

“She noticed Yordanos was holding a kitchen knife. That may well have been the knife used to inflict the terrible injuries.”

She and another housemate raised the alarm and Weldeyohannes fled, trying to hide blood on his trousers.

Mr Quinlan said Weldeyohannes also tried to set light to her clothes with a lighter. He later searched the internet for reports of the murder.

While sentencing the killer, Judge Simon Drew QC said: “On July 30 you spoke to Yordanos on a number of occasions, she recorded those calls.

You told Yordanos you loved her and asked her to be your lover. However it was clear from her replies that your feelings were not reciprocated.

“…Her message to you could not have been clearer. Yordanos had no defensive injuries.