Cold-blooded Surrey dad jailed for life after using child to hide murder
A ruthless Surrey carpenter has been locked up for life after twisting his own child’s words to cover up a grisly murder. Robert Rhodes, 52, was sentenced to at least 29 years and six months for killing his estranged wife, Dawn Rhodes, at their Redhill home in 2016.
Rhodes narrowly dodged the noose in 2017 when his child’s false testimony smeared Dawn as the abuser, letting him walk free. Not this time around.
Child’s Shocking U-Turn Sparks Unheard-of Retrial
Years later, the child – under 10 at the time – bravely admitted to a counsellor that everything they’d said in court was a lie. This confession shattered Rhodes’ defence and forced police to reopen the murder case. Thanks to the rare double jeopardy law, Rhodes was retried and finally convicted.
“My mother was and is loved by many – she has been missed by all who knew her and she deserves justice for the agony she was put through. The traumatic experience Robert Rhodes put me through will never go away.”
Brutal Murder Revealed in Court
Court heard how, high on cocaine, Rhodes plotted the savage killing on June 2, 2016. He persuaded his child to get Dawn to close her eyes for a painting. As the child left the room, Rhodes slit Dawn’s throat from behind.
He then attacked himself and the child to fake a violent struggle, claiming self-defence by alleging Dawn threatened the child with a knife. But the gruesome neck wounds told a darker truth.
Refusing to face the judge, Rhodes stayed silent and denied guilt. The judge branded him “wicked” and “cowardly.”
Long-Overdue Justice for Dawn and Family
“Rhodes exploited a young child, used lies and violence to cover up his crime, and we can finally remember Dawn as the victim she truly was,”
said prosecutor Libby Clark, praising the child’s bravery.
Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey condemned Rhodes’ “despicable” acts, highlighting the lifelong trauma suffered by Dawn’s family and the child.
After years of pain and denial, Dawn Rhodes’ loved ones finally have closure with her killer facing decades behind bars.
