Robert Rhodes, 52, from Withleigh, Devon, has been convicted of murdering his wife Dawn nine years ago, after their child came forward with new evidence under double jeopardy rules. He was found guilty unanimously at Inner London crown court on 2 June 2016, following a retrial.
Rhodes was also convicted of child cruelty by inflicting a wound on a child under 10, perverting the course of justice by causing injuries to himself and the child, and manipulating the child to injure him in a cover-up. Police confirmed he was found guilty of perjury at the Old Bailey in 2017 and at family court in 2018 for giving false evidence.
The original trial in 2017 saw Rhodes acquitted on grounds of self-defence, after he claimed Dawn attacked him first. However, the child later told a therapist in November 2021 that Rhodes had planned the murder and manipulated them into being involved, describing it as 'our plan'. The child also revealed that during supervised contact while Rhodes was on bail, he continued to instruct them to stick to the plan.
Police said Rhodes hid a phone at his mother's house to leave messages for the child, reminding them of their agreement. His acquittal was quashed in November 2024, allowing a retrial. The court heard that the marriage was in difficulty before Dawn's death, and Rhodes had filed for divorce.
On the night of the murder, the child made a 999 call at 7.34pm, during which Rhodes claimed his wife attacked him and the child with a knife, and he acted in self-defence. Police found Dawn Rhodes on the kitchen floor with her throat cut, severing all structures in her neck.
Dawn's mother, Liz Spencer, described her as a loving daughter, sister, and mother. Clarrie O'Callaghan, co-founder of the Femicide Census, called the conviction 'an amazing result', praising the tenacity of police and CPS. Rhodes will be sentenced at Inner London crown court on 16 January.
