Husband Jailed for Life for Murdering Wife and Manipulating Child in 'Wicked' Plot
Published 16 January 2026
Highlights
- Robert Rhodes has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife, Dawn Rhodes, with a minimum term of 29-and-a-half years.
- Rhodes manipulated his child into helping cover up the murder, claiming self-defense, and was found guilty of perjury and child cruelty.
- The murder, motivated by sexual jealousy, occurred in 2016 after Rhodes discovered his wife's affair.
- The case was reopened in 2021 when the child revealed the truth to a therapist and police, leading to a retrial under double jeopardy rules.
- Judge Mrs Justice Naomi Ellenbogen condemned Rhodes' actions as "wicked and callous," highlighting the lasting trauma inflicted on the child.
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Rewritten Article
Headline: Husband Jailed for Life for Murdering Wife and Manipulating Child in 'Wicked' Plot
In a chilling case of domestic violence and manipulation, Robert Rhodes has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife, Dawn Rhodes, in 2016. The 53-year-old carpenter, who was initially acquitted of the crime, was found guilty at a retrial in December 2021 after new evidence emerged from his own child.
A Calculated Crime
The murder took place in the family's Surrey home, where Rhodes, driven by sexual jealousy, plotted the attack for months after discovering his wife's affair with a colleague. In a heinous twist, he manipulated their child, who was under the age of 10, into assisting with the cover-up. Rhodes inflicted a fatal wound on Dawn and then staged the scene to appear as self-defense, even going so far as to injure himself and his child to support his fabricated story.
Justice Served
The case was reopened when the child, traumatized by the events, confided in a therapist and subsequently the police, revealing the true nature of the crime. This led to a retrial under double jeopardy rules, where Rhodes was convicted of murder, perjury, perverting the course of justice, and child cruelty. At the Inner London Crown Court, Judge Mrs Justice Naomi Ellenbogen sentenced Rhodes to life, with a minimum term of 29-and-a-half years, condemning his refusal to attend the sentencing as cowardly.
Impact on the Family
The trial highlighted the devastating impact on both Dawn's family and the child, who continues to suffer from mental health struggles and physical scars. In a poignant statement, the child expressed the enduring trauma inflicted by their father, while Dawn's mother, Liz Spencer, voiced a bittersweet sense of justice, feeling her daughter's voice was finally heard after nearly a decade.
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Scenario Analysis
The sentencing of Robert Rhodes marks a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for domestic violence victims. The case underscores the importance of revisiting legal outcomes when new evidence surfaces, particularly in complex cases involving manipulation and psychological abuse. Moving forward, this case may influence how courts handle similar situations, especially concerning the involvement of children in criminal activities. Legal experts suggest that the case could prompt further discussions on the adequacy of support systems for children who are victims of domestic crimes, ensuring they receive the necessary psychological care and protection.
In a chilling case of domestic violence and manipulation, Robert Rhodes has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife, Dawn Rhodes, in 2016. The 53-year-old carpenter, who was initially acquitted of the crime, was found guilty at a retrial in December 2021 after new evidence emerged from his own child.
A Calculated Crime
The murder took place in the family's Surrey home, where Rhodes, driven by sexual jealousy, plotted the attack for months after discovering his wife's affair with a colleague. In a heinous twist, he manipulated their child, who was under the age of 10, into assisting with the cover-up. Rhodes inflicted a fatal wound on Dawn and then staged the scene to appear as self-defense, even going so far as to injure himself and his child to support his fabricated story.
Justice Served
The case was reopened when the child, traumatized by the events, confided in a therapist and subsequently the police, revealing the true nature of the crime. This led to a retrial under double jeopardy rules, where Rhodes was convicted of murder, perjury, perverting the course of justice, and child cruelty. At the Inner London Crown Court, Judge Mrs Justice Naomi Ellenbogen sentenced Rhodes to life, with a minimum term of 29-and-a-half years, condemning his refusal to attend the sentencing as cowardly.
Impact on the Family
The trial highlighted the devastating impact on both Dawn's family and the child, who continues to suffer from mental health struggles and physical scars. In a poignant statement, the child expressed the enduring trauma inflicted by their father, while Dawn's mother, Liz Spencer, voiced a bittersweet sense of justice, feeling her daughter's voice was finally heard after nearly a decade.
What this might mean
The sentencing of Robert Rhodes marks a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for domestic violence victims. The case underscores the importance of revisiting legal outcomes when new evidence surfaces, particularly in complex cases involving manipulation and psychological abuse. Moving forward, this case may influence how courts handle similar situations, especially concerning the involvement of children in criminal activities. Legal experts suggest that the case could prompt further discussions on the adequacy of support systems for children who are victims of domestic crimes, ensuring they receive the necessary psychological care and protection.
