Robert Rhodes, 53, who recruited his young child to help him murder his wife Dawn Rhodes at their home in Redhill, Surrey, on June 2, 2016, has had his minimum jail term increased from 29.5 years to 33.5 years. The Court of Appeal ruled the original sentence was unduly lenient.
Details of the Crime
Rhodes slashed his wife's throat in the kitchen while their child, whose identity is protected, distracted her by asking her to close her eyes and hold out her hands for a surprise. The child then left the room as Rhodes approached Dawn from behind and cut her throat. After the murder, Rhodes used the same knife to cut the child's arm to make it appear that Dawn had attacked them both in self-defence.
At his first trial at the Old Bailey in 2017, Rhodes claimed he acted in self-defence, a story backed up by the child. He was acquitted and walked free. The child later changed their account in late 2021, confessing to the truth. In December 2023, Rhodes was found guilty at a second trial at Inner London Crown Court of murder, two counts of perjury, perverting the course of justice, and child cruelty. He was sentenced to life with a minimum of 29.5 years in January 2024.
Appeal and Sentence Increase
Solicitor General Ellie Reeves referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient. At a hearing on July 7, 2026, Lady Justice May, sitting with Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb and Judge Nigel Lickley KC, agreed. Lady Justice May described the murder as 'truly appalling' and said the cover-up involving the child was a 'particularly abhorrent aspect' that was not sufficiently reflected in the original sentencing. The court increased the minimum term to 33.5 years.
John Price KC, prosecuting in the second trial, said the murder was 'cold-blooded and premeditated' and that the cover-up succeeded 'until a teenager, plagued and grievously burdened by guilt, decided it was time for the truth to emerge'.
Impact on the Child
In a victim impact statement, the child said they have been left with lifelong mental health struggles and a scar on their arm inflicted by their father. 'While the symptoms can be managed, the traumatic experiences Robert Rhodes put me through will never go away,' they said. 'The scar Robert Rhodes left me with when he sliced open my forearm will never go away.' The child also said Rhodes 'not only murdered my mother but he took my dad from me as well.'
The child described the experience of giving evidence against Rhodes as 'heartbreaking and distressing' and accused him of 'gaslighting me, parading around as a survivor, while destroying me and my mother'.
