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

An asylum seeker from Sudan danced and laughed after murdering a Walsall lodge employee in a “vicious and frenzied assault” on a prepare station platform, a trial has heard.

Prosecutors allege Deng Majek, who claims to be 19, stabbed 27-year-old Rhiannon Whyte 23 instances with a screwdriver at Bescot Stadium railway station on 20 October 2024. She died in hospital three days later.

Opening the case for the prosecution at Wolverhampton Crown Court docket, Michelle Heeley KC informed the jury that the defendant was “clearly enthusiastic about what he had performed”.

Mr Majek denies homicide.

CCTV footage proven to the jury on Tuesday confirmed Mr Majek gazing Ms Whyte within the lodge, following her to the station, working from the scene and throwing her telephone into the river, the court docket heard.

Ms Heeley informed the court docket Ms Whyte’s blood was discovered on the defendant’s garments, whereas her DNA was found beneath his fingernails.

She stated Mr Majek was seen on CCTV on the Park Inn Lodge in Walsall, laughing shortly after killing her.

The defendant had been residing on the lodge, which homes asylum seekers, whereas Ms Whyte had labored there for about three months.

The court docket heard her job included cleansing and serving meals and associates couldn’t recall any challenge which could have led to the assault.

“There had been a problem about some damaged biscuits with among the residents however nothing severe,” Ms Heeley stated.

In a press release launched following her demise, Rhiannon Whyte’s household described her as “selfless… courageous, quirky, humorous” and all the time there for different folks.

The prosecution stated CCTV confirmed the defendant gazing Ms Whyte, earlier than he adopted her from the lodge to the railway station when she completed her shift at 23:00 BST.

“He had been hanging round ready for her to depart and waited till she was on her personal earlier than he adopted her,” Ms Heeley stated.

The court docket was informed Ms Whyte known as a buddy at 23:04 and he was seen on CCTV cameras closing the hole on her as she approached the abandoned platform.

Ms Heeley stated: “It was then that the prosecution say that this defendant attacked her.”

Her buddy heard a scream after which one other scream, earlier than the telephone went useless at 23:19.

The prosecution stated Mr Majek might then be seen working again up the steps with an object in his hand, which they stated was Ms Whyte’s cell phone.

Ms Heeley stated he then went to an area store to purchase himself a drink earlier than returning to the lodge.

She added: “In between the station and the lodge he had thrown Rhiannon’s telephone right into a river.

“As soon as on the lodge he was seen dancing and laughing, clearly enthusiastic about what he had performed.”

The prepare she had been because of catch pulled in at 23:24 and the driving force noticed a determine slumped on the platform, the court docket was informed.

Ms Heeley stated the guard tried to assist her, together with one other worker from the lodge, however nothing might be performed to save lots of her and he or she died on 23 October, having by no means regained consciousness.

The court docket was informed 11 of the 23 stab wounds penetrated her cranium, one in all which broken the mind stem, inflicting her demise.

She additionally had accidents to her chest and arm, indicating she had tried to defend herself, the court docket heard.

The puncture wounds had the looks of a cross-headed screwdriver, which has by no means been discovered.

Ms Heeley stated: “He left her bleeding to demise after which casually went again to his lodge. We are saying you may be positive he’s responsible of homicide.”

The trial is predicted to final about three weeks.