Asylum seeker jailed for at least 29 years for murdering Walsall hotel worker

"Deng Chol Majek is believed to have entered the UK by small boat less than three months before launching a frenzied assault on Rhiannon Whyte at Bescot Stadium railway station in Walsall on 20 October 2024, stabbing her 23 times. Majek is said to have tracked Whyte to the station after she finished a shift at the Park Inn hotel, where he had been living, at 11pm before inflicting 19 wounds to her head, including a fatal brain stem injury."

"CCTV played at Majek's trial at Wolverhampton crown court showed he disappeared from view on to a deserted platform for 90 seconds at about 11.18pm to attack Whyte, 27, whose son was aged five at the time. She died in hospital three days later, after being found injured in a shelter on the platform by the driver and guard of a train that pulled in about five minutes after the attack."

"Majek is said to have lied to the court about his age, claiming to be 19 despite a date of birth making him 27 being recorded by authorities during a failed asylum claim in Germany. Presiding, Mr Justice Soole said Majek maintained he was aged 18 when he entered the UK in July 2024 but age assessments had concluded he was actually aged between 25 and 28, with the judge sentencing him on the basis he was 26."

Deng Chol Majek attacked Rhiannon Whyte at Bescot Stadium railway station in Walsall on 20 October 2024, stabbing her 23 times. Majek had been living at the Park Inn hotel and is said to have tracked Whyte to the station after she finished a shift at 11pm, inflicting 19 wounds to her head including a fatal brain stem injury. CCTV showed him disappear onto a deserted platform for around 90 seconds before the attack. Whyte was found injured in a shelter and died in hospital three days later. Jurors unanimously convicted Majek of murder and possessing a screwdriver. Age assessments put him at 25–28 and the judge sentenced him as 26 to a life term with a minimum of 29 years. Whyte’s family described Majek as demonic and inhuman.

Read at www.theguardian.com