Deng Chol Majek has been sentenced to Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 29 years in a case prosecuted by No 5 barristers, Michelle Heeley KC and Holly Kilby.
The defendant was convicted in October 2025 after a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court however sentence had to be delayed in order that the defendant’s true age could be assessed. Specialists in age assessments were instructed to assist the court, and the Judge determined the defendant was at least 26 years old. He was sentenced to life for the murder of Rhiannon Whyte. The Judge found that he had acted in a planned manner, bringing a weapon with him to the scene, and had used excessive violence in the murder, the defendant had then taken the victim’s phone and discarded it in an effort to avoid detection.
The case attracted nationwide press attention due to its shocking nature. Michelle and Holly were instructed by CPS, acting for British Transport Police.
‘Asylum seeker jailed for at least 29 years for murdering Walsall hotel worker’ – The Guardian
‘Asylum seeker sentenced to at least 29 years for murdering hotel worker Rhiannon Whyte’ – BBC News
