Man Convicted of Wife's Murder After Child's Testimony Overturns Acquittal
Published 12 December 2025
Highlights
- Robert Rhodes was found guilty of murdering his wife, Dawn, after their child provided new evidence, overturning his previous acquittal.
- The case was retried under the double jeopardy law, which allows a second trial for serious offenses like murder.
- Rhodes manipulated his child into participating in the crime and fabricating a self-defence scenario.
- The child, under 10 at the time, revealed the truth during therapy sessions, leading to the retrial.
- Rhodes was also convicted of child cruelty, perjury, and perverting the course of justice.
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Rewritten Article
Headline: Man Convicted of Wife's Murder After Child's Testimony Overturns Acquittal
In a landmark case that revisited the boundaries of the double jeopardy law, Robert Rhodes, 52, has been found guilty of murdering his wife, Dawn Rhodes, after their child came forward with new evidence. The verdict, delivered at Inner London Crown Court, marks a significant turn in a case that has haunted the family for over nine years.
The Plot Unveiled
On June 2, 2016, in their Surrey home, Robert Rhodes orchestrated a chilling plot to murder his wife, Dawn. Initially, he had successfully convinced a jury that he acted in self-defence, claiming that Dawn had attacked him with a knife. However, the facade crumbled when their child, who was under 10 at the time, disclosed to a therapist in 2021 that Rhodes had coerced them into participating in the crime. The child recounted how Rhodes had instructed them to lure Dawn into a vulnerable position before he fatally stabbed her.
Legal Repercussions and Retrial
The case was reopened under the double jeopardy law, which permits retrials for serious offenses. During the retrial, the court heard how Rhodes manipulated the child into inflicting wounds on him to support his self-defence claim. The jury, after 22 hours of deliberation, found Rhodes guilty of murder, child cruelty, perverting the course of justice, and perjury. He will be sentenced on January 16.
Family's Response and Impact
The family of Dawn Rhodes expressed relief and sorrow following the verdict. Her mother, Liz Spencer, and sister, Kirsty Spencer, paid tribute to Dawn, describing her as a loving and strong individual. They lamented the years spent in the shadows of Rhodes' deceit and emphasized that while justice has been served, it cannot bring Dawn back. Dawn's brother, Darren, highlighted the incomprehensible nature of Rhodes' actions, particularly his manipulation of a child in such a heinous crime.
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Scenario Analysis
The conviction of Robert Rhodes under the double jeopardy law sets a precedent for future cases involving new evidence post-acquittal. Legal experts suggest that this could encourage more victims and witnesses to come forward, knowing that justice can still be pursued even after an initial verdict. The case also underscores the importance of mental health support for children involved in traumatic events, as the child's therapy sessions were pivotal in uncovering the truth. As Rhodes awaits sentencing, the focus may shift to the broader implications of child coercion in criminal activities and the legal system's role in protecting vulnerable individuals.
In a landmark case that revisited the boundaries of the double jeopardy law, Robert Rhodes, 52, has been found guilty of murdering his wife, Dawn Rhodes, after their child came forward with new evidence. The verdict, delivered at Inner London Crown Court, marks a significant turn in a case that has haunted the family for over nine years.
The Plot Unveiled
On June 2, 2016, in their Surrey home, Robert Rhodes orchestrated a chilling plot to murder his wife, Dawn. Initially, he had successfully convinced a jury that he acted in self-defence, claiming that Dawn had attacked him with a knife. However, the facade crumbled when their child, who was under 10 at the time, disclosed to a therapist in 2021 that Rhodes had coerced them into participating in the crime. The child recounted how Rhodes had instructed them to lure Dawn into a vulnerable position before he fatally stabbed her.
Legal Repercussions and Retrial
The case was reopened under the double jeopardy law, which permits retrials for serious offenses. During the retrial, the court heard how Rhodes manipulated the child into inflicting wounds on him to support his self-defence claim. The jury, after 22 hours of deliberation, found Rhodes guilty of murder, child cruelty, perverting the course of justice, and perjury. He will be sentenced on January 16.
Family's Response and Impact
The family of Dawn Rhodes expressed relief and sorrow following the verdict. Her mother, Liz Spencer, and sister, Kirsty Spencer, paid tribute to Dawn, describing her as a loving and strong individual. They lamented the years spent in the shadows of Rhodes' deceit and emphasized that while justice has been served, it cannot bring Dawn back. Dawn's brother, Darren, highlighted the incomprehensible nature of Rhodes' actions, particularly his manipulation of a child in such a heinous crime.
What this might mean
The conviction of Robert Rhodes under the double jeopardy law sets a precedent for future cases involving new evidence post-acquittal. Legal experts suggest that this could encourage more victims and witnesses to come forward, knowing that justice can still be pursued even after an initial verdict. The case also underscores the importance of mental health support for children involved in traumatic events, as the child's therapy sessions were pivotal in uncovering the truth. As Rhodes awaits sentencing, the focus may shift to the broader implications of child coercion in criminal activities and the legal system's role in protecting vulnerable individuals.
