Deng Chol Majek caught on CCTV following Rhiannon Skye Whyte before screwdriver attack at Bescot Stadium station, Wolverhampton Crown Court told
An asylum seeker was seen dancing and laughing after stabbing a hotel worker more than 20 times with a screwdriver on a railway platform and leaving her for dead, a murder trial jury has heard.
Deng Chol Majek was clearly excited about what he had done after inflicting 23 stab wounds on Rhiannon Skye Whyte, mainly to her head, at Bescot Stadium station in Walsall, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told on Tuesday.
Jurors heard how Majek, who is from Sudan and claims to be 19, was caught on CCTV following Ms Whyte from the town’s Park Inn hotel, which was then being used to house asylum seekers, on 20th October last year. The 27-year-old victim was heard screaming during a phone call to a friend after finishing her shift and was found on the platform by a train guard minutes later.
Prosecution Opens Case Against Defendant
Opening the Crown’s case against Majek, prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC told the court he followed Ms Whyte from the hotel where he was living in room 309. She stated he followed her down onto the train platform at Bescot Stadium station and then attacked her, stabbing her over and over again with a screwdriver.
Ms Heeley said he left her bleeding to death and then casually went back to his hotel, adding that the prosecution say the jury can be sure he is guilty of murder.
Jurors were told Ms Whyte had worked at the hotel for approximately three months, helping with tasks including cleaning and serving food. Her shift finished at 11pm on the night of the attack.
Defendant Seen Staring Throughout Evening
During the evening, one of Ms Whyte’s co-workers noticed the defendant, who seemed to be staring at her and the women she was working with, Ms Heeley told the court. No one could recall any particular issue that would have caused him to act in that way.
The prosecutor explained what is clear from CCTV is that the defendant was hanging around the reception area, staring at Ms Whyte throughout the evening. He changed into a distinctive jacket and sandals and then waited around the reception area where she was working.
Ms Heeley stated that CCTV tracks the defendant all the way, showing he followed her from the hotel to the station. He had been hanging around waiting for her to leave and waited until she was on her own before he followed her.
Timeline of Attack Revealed
Ms Whyte called a friend at 11.04pm, the court heard. She was caught on CCTV at 11.08pm with Majek following two minutes later. The defendant then closed the gap to 90 seconds and then 30 seconds as she reached the deserted platform at 11.13pm.
Ms Heeley stated it was then that the prosecution say the defendant attacked her. Ms Whyte had been talking to her friend, but the conversation went silent before the friend heard a scream, then another scream. The phone went dead at 11.19pm.
Ms Whyte’s friend, having heard the screams, called the police, who contacted the hotel. The hotel sent one of their employees to the station. The train that Ms Whyte had been due to catch pulled in at 11.24pm and the driver saw a figure slumped on the platform.
Victim Dies Three Days Later
The guard tried to help Ms Whyte, as did the employee who had come from the hotel, but sadly she was too seriously injured and nothing could be done to save her. She passed away on 23rd October, having never regained consciousness, surrounded by her family in hospital.
Ms Heeley told the court the defendant did not go straight back to the hotel. He went to a local shop and bought himself a drink first, arriving back at the hotel at 13 minutes past midnight.
In between the station and the hotel, he had thrown Ms Whyte’s phone into a river. Once at the hotel, he was seen dancing and laughing, clearly excited about what he had done, the prosecutor stated.
Defendant Denies Charges
Majek, formerly of Bescot Crescent in Walsall, denies murder and possessing a screwdriver as an offensive weapon. He has pleaded not guilty at previous hearings and was assisted by a Sudanese dialect Arabic interpreter during court appearances.
At a previous hearing in June, Majek’s defence barrister Peter Glenser KC told the court that doctors were not concerned that the defendant was unfit to face trial. Mr Glenser said Majek claims he was not present when the attack occurred.
During that hearing, Majek spoke via video link from HMP Manchester, and the interpreter conveyed that he was saying he didn’t do anything and that he is innocent.
Trial Proceedings
The trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court is being presided over by Justice Michael Soole KC and is expected to last three weeks. A jury of six men and six women was sworn in on Monday.
Before the prosecution opened its case on Tuesday, the trial judge told the jury that any case involving a death raises natural emotions. The jury was instructed to approach the evidence objectively and fairly.
The trial had originally been scheduled to begin in March at Coventry Crown Court but was delayed whilst medical assessments were conducted regarding the defendant’s fitness to stand trial. After several hearings debating his mental health, Justice Michael Chambers ruled in June that Majek would stand trial in October.
Family’s Tribute to Victim
In a statement issued through police shortly after her death, Ms Whyte’s family described her as the most loved daughter, compassionate sister, loving auntie, gracious granddaughter, beautiful niece, wonderful cousin and devoted friend.
The family’s statement added that she was taken from them in the most traumatic, tragic and senseless way. They said she had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone.
Ms Whyte had been working at the Park Inn hotel, which at the time was being used to accommodate asylum seekers. Her role included cleaning duties and serving food to residents.
Background to Case
The incident occurred at Bescot Stadium railway station in Walsall, West Midlands, in the evening of 20th October last year. The station serves the nearby Bescot Stadium, home to Walsall Football Club.
Majek was understood to be an asylum seeker originally from South Sudan who was being housed at the Park Inn hotel in Bescot Crescent, a short distance from the railway station. The hotel was among several accommodation facilities used by the Home Office to house asylum seekers awaiting decisions on their applications.
According to the prosecution, there had been an issue about some broken biscuits with some of the residents but nothing serious that would explain the severity of the attack.
Trial Continues
The trial continues at Wolverhampton Crown Court. Further evidence is expected to be heard over the coming days, including CCTV footage tracking the movements of both the victim and the defendant on the night of the attack.
The prosecution case will include testimony from witnesses who were present at the hotel on the evening in question, as well as expert evidence regarding the injuries sustained by Ms Whyte.
The defendant has maintained his not guilty plea throughout the legal proceedings and continues to be assisted by interpreters during court appearances.
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