Asylum seeker ‘murdered hotel worker Rhiannon Whyte in frenzied attack’

A Sudanese asylum seeker danced and laughed after killing a Walsall hotel worker on a train station platform in a “brutal and frenzied attack”, a hearing heard.

Prosecutors allege that Deng Majek, who claimed to be 19 years old, stabbed 27-year-old Rhiannon Whyte 23 times with a screwdriver at Bescot Stadium train station on October 20, 2024, and that the woman died in hospital three days later.

Michelle Heeley KC, prosecuting the case at Wolverhampton Crown Court, told the jury the defendant was “clearly excited by what he had done”.

Mr Majek denies murder.

The jury heard Mr Majek was seen laughing on CCTV from the Park Inn Hotel in Walsall shortly after killing Ms Whyte.

The defendant was living in the hotel where asylum seekers were being accommodated, and Ms Whyte had been working there for approximately three months.

The court heard the woman’s job included cleaning and catering and her colleagues could not recall any problems that might have led to the attack.

“There was an issue with some residents about biscuits breaking, but nothing serious,” Ms Heeley said.

In a statement released following her death, Rhiannon Whyte’s family described her as “selfless… brave, quirky, funny” and someone who was always there for other people.

The prosecution said CCTV showed the defendant following Ms Whyte from the hotel to the train station and looking at her after finishing her shift at 11pm (BST).

“He had been waiting for her to leave and had waited for her to be on her own before following him,” Ms Heeley said.

The court was told Ms Whyte called a friend at 11.04pm and the friend was seen closing the gap on CCTV as she approached the empty platform.

Ms Heeley said: “That’s when the prosecution said this defendant had assaulted her.”

Her friend heard a scream and then another scream before the phone went dead at 11:19 p.m.

The prosecution said Mr Majek was seen running up the stairs with an object in his hand, which Ms Whyte said was a mobile phone.

Ms Heeley said she went to a local store to buy herself a drink before returning to the hotel.

He added: “He threw Rhiannon’s phone into the river between the station and the hotel.

“When he arrived at the hotel he was seen dancing and laughing, clearly excited about what he had done.”

The court was told that the train he was supposed to catch pulled up at 11.24pm and the driver saw a slumped figure on the platform.

Ms Heeley said the guard, along with another employee from the hotel, tried to help him but nothing could be done to save him and he died on October 23 without ever regaining consciousness.

The court was told that 11 of the 23 stab wounds entered the skull, one of which damaged the brainstem and led to his death.

The court heard the woman also had injuries to her chest and arm, indicating she was trying to defend herself.

The puncture wounds resembled a cross-head screwdriver, which was never found.

The jury was told Rhiannon Whyte’s blood was on the defendant’s jacket, sandals and ring, and her DNA was found under Mr Majek’s fingernails.

Miss Heeley said: “He left her until she bled to death and then casually walked back to her hotel. We say you can be sure he is guilty of murder.”

The trial is expected to last about three weeks.