🔴 SCREWDRIVER KILLER OF RHIANNON WHYTE LIVE SENTENCING

🔴 EVIDENCE DESTROYED AS AGGRAVATING FACTOR

Mr Justice Soole highlighted Majek’s attempt to destroy evidence—throwing Rhiannon Whyte’s phone into the River Tame—as a further aggravating factor in the case ⬇️

🔴 VICTIM’S VULNERABILITY HIGHLIGHTED

The judge noted Rhiannon Whyte’s vulnerability as a woman alone at night, marking it as a further aggravating factor in Majek’s sentence.

(Update published at 11:52)

🔴 VICIOUSNESS OF ASSAULT AGGRAVATING

Mr Justice Soole said the extreme brutality of Majek’s attack on Rhiannon Whyte is an aggravating factor, contributing to the severity of the sentence.

(Update published at 11:50)

🔴 PRE-MEDITATION EVIDENT

The judge noted that Majek stared fixedly at a group of women, including Rhiannon Whyte, throughout the evening and then followed her to the station, reinforcing the court’s view of pre-meditation.

(Update published at 11:49)

🔴 JUDGE HIGHLIGHTS AGGRAVATING FACTORS

Mr Justice Soole told the court that Majek brought a screwdriver to the scene and used it to murder Rhiannon Whyte. The judge said this showed intent to kill, setting the starting point for the minimum term at 25 years.

(Update published at 11:47)

🔴 RHIANNON DIED, EVIDENCE OVERWHELMING

Rhiannon was found by the train crew and died in hospital three days later. CCTV and DNA evidence provided overwhelming proof of Majek’s actions that night.

(Update published at 11:44)

🔴 PHONE DESTROYED, COLD RETURN

During the assault, Majek took Rhiannon’s mobile, switched it off, and later threw it into the river. He walked around Walsall before returning to the hotel, where CCTV shows him dancing and laughing.

(Update published at 11:43)

🔴 BRUTAL ATTACK ON PLATFORM

He attacked Rhiannon alone on the platform, inflicting 23 puncture wounds, 19 to the head. Despite her efforts to defend herself, she collapsed under repeated blows.

(Update published at 11:42)

🔴 MAJEK ARMED AND FOLLOWED VICTIM

Deng Chol Majek, a resident at the hotel where Rhiannon Whyte worked, armed himself with a Phillips head screwdriver and followed her from the hotel to Bescot Stadium station.

(Update published at 11:41)

🔴 MAJEK SENTENCING UNDER WAY

Deng Chol Majek’s sentencing has now begun at Coventry Crown Court. Mr Justice Soole will first summarise the case before passing the life sentence.

(Update published at 11:36)

🔴 FAMILY PRAISED FOR EXEMPLARY DIGNITY

Deng Chol Majek has been removed from court as Mr Justice Soole orders a short break ahead of sentencing remarks. The judge said Rhiannon Whyte’s family had shown “exemplary dignity” throughout the trial and sentencing.

(Update published at 11:28)

🔴 A CHILD FORCED TO GROW UP WITHOUT HIS MOTHER

Alexandra Whyte said she is now raising Rhiannon’s son, describing the “unimaginably difficult” moment of explaining that his mother was never coming home, adding that his screams would “haunt” her forever.

(Update published at 11:24)

🔴 “SHE WAS THE BEST OF US”

Alexandra Whyte told the court her sister was smart, kind, funny, thoughtful and hardworking, saying Rhiannon “belonged to us” and was “a piece of us all.”

(Update published at 11:23)

🔴 SISTER SPEAKS FOR A SHATTERED FAMILY

The court heard a victim impact statement from Rhiannon Whyte’s sister, Alexandra Whyte, speaking on behalf of her siblings, nieces and nephews, and Rhiannon’s young son, as she described the devastation left behind.

(Update published at 11:22)

🔴 MOTHER ADDRESSES MAJEK DIRECTLY

Looking directly at Majek, with her hands shaking, Donna Whyte said: “I hope you never see the outside world again. Let me see you dancing now.” Majek showed no emotion as the words were interpreted to him.

(Update published at 11:20)

🔴 “SHE HAD NO CHANCE, NO SAY”

She said Rhiannon had no opportunity to defend herself or decide her fate, telling the court: “You took that from all of us.”

(Update published at 11:19)

🔴 “TO SOME EXTENT MY LIFE ALSO ENDED”

Continuing her statement, Donna Whyte said that part of her own life ended on the day her daughter was attacked and fatally injured.

(Update published at 11:17)

🔴 “WE MUST FACE LIFE WITHOUT HER”

She told the court that because of Majek’s “inexplicable, cruel and brutal” actions, her family has been forced to face a lifetime without Rhiannon.

(Update published at 11:16)

🔴 “SHE WAS MY BEST FRIEND”

Donna Whyte said Rhiannon was not only her daughter but her best friend, describing the loss as something her family will carry for the rest of their lives.

(Update published at 11:16)

🔴 MOTHER ADDRESSES COURT IN VICTIM STATEMENT

Rhiannon Whyte’s mother, Donna Whyte, addressed the court during sentencing, telling the judge it was “impossible to fully explain the pain” she has lived with since her daughter’s death.

(Update published at 11:15)

🔴 PROSECUTION CONFIRM AGE ASSESSMENT FINDINGS

The prosecution told the court that an age assessment ordered by Mr Justice Soole has confirmed Majek is aged over 21, after he claimed during trial to be 19 and prosecutors said they believed him to be in his mid-20s.

(Update published at 11:11)

🔴 MAJEK TO BE SENTENCED AS A MATURE ADULT

Mr Justice Soole confirmed Deng Chol Majek will be sentenced as a mature adult, meaning no youth sentencing principles will apply when the court determines the appropriate life sentence and minimum term.

(Update published at 11:10)

🔴 MAJEK BROUGHT INTO COURT FOR SENTENCING

Deng Chol Majek has been brought into Coventry Crown Court and is in the dock, flanked by an interpreter and three prison officers, wearing a grey sweatshirt.

(Update published at 11:07)

🔴 PROTESTS OUTSIDE COURT

Tommy Robinson has been addressing a crowd of protesters outside Coventry Crown Court, including members of Rhiannon Whyte’s family, Epping Pink Ladies and Raise the Colours members.

(Update published at 11:06)

🔴 STAY WITH UKCOURTSLIVE

Throughout the day for every update from the gallery. Full analysis & the final sentence as it happens.

(Update published at 10:43)

🔴 WHAT TO EXPECT

Today’s hearing will cover the age ruling, the “callous” evidence of Majek dancing after the killing, & the final minimum term he must serve.

(Update published at 10:36)

🔴 FAMILY IN COURT

Rhiannon’s mother Siobhan & sister Alexandra are present. We expect to hear harrowing victim impact statements this morning as they finally see justice served.

(Update published at 10:34)

🔴 LEGAL ALERT: CONTEMPT RISK

We must address reports of “Home Office officials” leaking Majek’s age as definitely being 27. This is a sub judice dispute. Reporting such leaks is a potential Contempt of Court breach.

(Update published at 10:33)

🔴 THE AGE DISPUTE

Mr Justice Soole must decide today: Is Majek 19, as he claims, or 27? This ruling determines the minimum tariff of his mandatory life sentence.

(Update published at 10:31)

🔴 THE CASE REFRESH

Rhiannon, a devoted mother-of-one, was stalked after her shift at the Park Inn hotel & stabbed 23 times at Bescot Stadium station. A crime that horrified the nation.

(Update published at 10:29)

🔴 DENG MAJEK SENTENCING

Official start of the sentencing proceedings at court.

(Update published at 10:17)

🔴 LIVE: DENG MAJEK SENTENCING

We are live from Wolverhampton Crown Court (sitting at Coventry) for the sentencing of Deng Chol Majek for the “vicious” screwdriver murder of 27-year-old Rhiannon Whyte.

(Update published at 10:09)