Asylum Seeker Found Guilty in Murder of Hotel Worker Near Birmingham
A man seeking asylum in the United Kingdom has been convicted of the murder of Rhiannon Skye Whyte, a hotel worker in Walsall, West Midlands.The conviction follows evidence presented to Wolverhampton Crown Court detailing how the defendant followed Whyte from her workplace to a nearby train station where the fatal attack occurred.
Prosecutors established that Deng Chol Majek was captured on CCTV following Whyte from the Park Inn hotel, where she was employed, to the Bescot Stadium station on October 20 of last year. The attack involved repeated stabbings with a screwdriver – 19 to the head and 23 in total.
Majek, who claims to be 19 years old and is originally from Sudan, maintained his innocence throughout the trial. He testified, through an interpreter, that he had never interacted with Whyte during the three months he resided at the hotel, which housed asylum seekers.
During questioning by defense counsel Gurdeep Garcha, majek stated he “never had a problem with anyone” at the hotel and did not recall noticing Whyte. When specifically asked if he was present at the train station during the stabbing, he replied, “No.” He further denied any duty for the “fatal assault” on the platform.
According to Majek’s testimony, he was “staying in the hotel, outside” at the time of the attack.He also asserted that he had never argued with Whyte and that there were no existing issues between them. Prior to arriving in the UK in July of last year to seek asylum, Majek had reportedly spent time in Libya, Italy, and Germany.
The court heard evidence contradicting Majek’s claims. CCTV footage clearly showed him following Whyte, and forensic evidence linked him to the weapon. The prosecution argued that Majek’s denial was a purposeful attempt to evade responsibility for a brutal and premeditated attack. The defense argued the CCTV was not conclusive proof of intent.
after deliberating for several hours, the jury found Deng Chol Majek guilty of murder. Judge Michael Chambers described the attack as “ferocious and sustained” and stated that Whyte was “vulnerable” when attacked. Majek showed no visible reaction to the verdict. He is scheduled to be sentenced next month and faces a life sentence.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more facts becomes available.
Image:
Rhiannon Skye Whyte. Pic: Family handout/PA
