An asylum seeker has been found guilty of murdering a hotel worker who was stabbed 19 times with a screwdriver at a West Midlands train station.
Deng Chol Majek was caught on CCTV following Rhiannon Skye Whyte from the Park Inn hotel in Walsall, where she worked, to the nearby Bescot Stadium station on 20th October last year. The 27-year-old victim was attacked in a savage assault that shocked the local community.
Majek, who is from Sudan and claims to be 19 years old, had denied the murder at Wolverhampton Crown Court. He told the jury he was at the hotel for asylum seekers at the time Ms Whyte was attacked.
The defendant insisted he had never spoken to the victim during the three months he lived at the Park Inn hotel. Answering questions from defence KC Gurdeep Garcha through an interpreter, Majek claimed he never had a problem with anyone at the hotel and had never noticed Ms Whyte whilst staying there.
When asked directly by Mr Garcha if he was at the train station when Ms Whyte was stabbed, Majek replied no. He also denied being responsible for the fatal assault on the platform.
Pressed on his whereabouts at the time of the attack, he stated he was staying in the hotel, outside. He also claimed he had never had an argument with Ms Whyte and said there were no issues between them.
Prosecutors presented CCTV evidence showing Majek following Ms Whyte from the hotel to Bescot Stadium station. The footage proved crucial in establishing his movements on the day of the murder and contradicting his account of remaining at the hotel.
The brutal nature of the attack, involving 19 stab wounds to the head with a screwdriver, demonstrated the sustained violence Ms Whyte endured. The choice of weapon, a common tool rather than a knife, added to the horrific nature of the killing.
Ms Whyte worked at the Park Inn hotel, which housed asylum seekers as part of government accommodation arrangements. Staff at such facilities often work closely with vulnerable residents whilst managing challenging situations.
Majek told the court he had spent time in Libya, Italy and Germany before arriving in the UK to claim asylum in July last year. His journey through multiple countries reflects the complex migration routes many asylum seekers follow to reach Britain.
The case has raised questions about security measures at hotels housing asylum seekers and the safety of staff working in such environments. Workers at accommodation centres often face difficult conditions whilst supporting residents through the asylum process.
Bescot Stadium station serves the local area and Walsall Football Club, making it a familiar location for residents. The attack in a public transport setting heightened concerns about safety at railway stations.
The jury rejected Majek’s denials after hearing evidence including the CCTV footage tracking his movements. Their guilty verdict means he will face a mandatory life sentence, with the judge determining the minimum term he must serve before being considered for parole.
Ms Whyte’s family have endured months of grief since her death in October last year. The trial has forced them to relive the circumstances of her murder whilst awaiting justice.
The Park Inn hotel in Walsall is one of numerous properties across Britain used to accommodate asylum seekers whilst their claims are processed. The system has faced criticism over conditions and the strain placed on local communities and services.
Majek’s asylum claim status remains unclear, though his conviction for murder will inevitably impact any application. Foreign nationals sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment are typically subject to deportation upon release.
The case highlights challenges facing the asylum system, including age disputes. Majek claims to be 19, but such assertions often prove difficult to verify definitively, with significant implications for how individuals are treated within the system.
Detective investigating the murder welcomed the guilty verdict, though their comments were not disclosed in court reporting. Police inquiries involved extensive CCTV analysis and witness statements to build the prosecution case.
The murder weapon, a screwdriver, is a commonly available tool that becomes deadly in the wrong hands. The repeated stabbing to Ms Whyte’s head demonstrated sustained intent to cause fatal injuries.
Railway stations present particular security challenges, with open platforms and multiple access points making it difficult to prevent attacks. British Transport Police work alongside local forces to maintain safety on the rail network.
The verdict brings some measure of closure to Ms Whyte’s loved ones, though it cannot repair the devastating loss of a young woman killed whilst simply going about her daily life. Her death has left an irreparable void for family and friends.
Sentencing will take place at a later date, when victim impact statements may be read to the court detailing the profound effect of Ms Whyte’s murder. The judge will consider the circumstances of the killing when determining the minimum term Majek must serve.
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