A court heard a child testify about enduring permanent harm after their father manipulated them into participating in a sinister plan to kill their mother. Robert Rhodes, 52, brutally murdered his wife, Dawn, by slashing her throat in their home in 2016, driven by jealousy over her affair. Rhodes orchestrated the murder over a long period, involving the child, who was under 10, in the fatal attack.
Following the murder, Rhodes concocted a false narrative of self-defense, deceiving both authorities and the child. Despite being initially acquitted in 2017, Rhodes’ wrongdoing was exposed in 2021 when the traumatized child disclosed the truth to a therapist and the police. The child, in a heartbreaking testimony during the sentencing at Inner London Crown Court, revealed enduring mental health struggles and a scar on their arm inflicted by Rhodes.
Expressing the profound impact of the ordeal, the child emphasized the lifelong repercussions of Rhodes’ actions, condemning his manipulative behavior and its lasting effects on their life. Rhodes, who was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 29-and-a-half years, faced additional charges of perjury, perverting justice, and child cruelty.
Despite maintaining his innocence through his lawyer, Rhodes was labeled a “coward” by the judge for evading the sentencing hearing. The judge condemned Rhodes for his “wicked and callous acts” motivated by sexual jealousy, highlighting the devastating consequences on both families. Rhodes’ meticulous planning and manipulation of the child were pivotal in overturning his initial acquittal and securing justice for Dawn’s murder.
The court proceedings shed light on Rhodes’ history of domestic abuse and coercive control over Dawn, portraying her as a victim rather than a villain. The heinous nature of Rhodes’ actions, from the calculated murder to the psychological manipulation of his own child, was condemned as despicable by law enforcement. Despite his denial of all charges, Rhodes was ultimately held accountable for his crimes, with justice prevailing through the bravery of the child in revealing the truth.