Asylum seeker accused of murder 'utterly callous'

Rhiannon Whyte, 27, was repeatedly stabbed at Bescot Stadium station, Walsall in October 2024

An asylum seeker accused of murdering a hotel worker has put forward a "laughable" defence in the face of CCTV evidence that could not be clearer, his trial heard.

Deng Chol Majek had been "utterly callous" when he was seen dancing after Rhiannon Whyte was stabbed, prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC told Wolverhampton Crown Court in her closing speech.

Mr Majek, who denies murder, is alleged to have followed her from Walsall's Park Inn hotel, where she worked and he lived, to Bescot Stadium station, where she was attacked.

For the defence, Gurdeep Garcha KC told the court his client had given a comprehensive and consistent account, and there were "very significant gaps" in prosecution evidence.

As he gave evidence to the court, Mr Majek claimed a figure seen on CCTV at the railway station and then visiting local shops to buy beer is not him, and DNA evidence presented in the case was wrong.

The court has heard Ms Whyte, 27, died three days after she was attacked with a screwdriver in October 2024, having suffered a fatal brain injury.

'Silent in interviews'

Prosector Ms Heeley told the jury on Thursday that they had a stark choice.

"Do you accept the evidence of an independent forensic scientist, or do you believe the defendant who sat silently in interview, with no answers to police questions?," she said.

"Do you accept the detailed, colour CCTV footage of the attacker in identical clothing to the defendant, or do you believe the defendant when he says, 'It's not me'?"

Mr Majek has denied that a person seen on CCTV at Bescot Stadium station is him

Addressing Mr Majek's claims to be 19, when paperwork he had with him in Germany states he is aged 27, Ms Heeley asked the jury to consider what other issues the defendant, who is originally from Sudan, was prepared to lie about.

'No asylum referendum'

However, Mr Garcha argued there was a "clear and unassailable body of evidence" pointing away from Mr Majek being the attacker, describing Ms Whyte's loss as a tragedy and a "waste of a young life".

In his closing speech, he urged jurors not to treat the case as "some sort of referendum" on issues surrounding the issue of asylum.

"Mr Majek is not on trial, and he has not been charged, based on the fact he is an asylum seeker," he said.

"The only issue is, has the prosecution made you sure that he's the person that followed Rhiannon Whyte and inflicted those injuries upon her?."

Mr Majek also denies possessing a screwdriver, the offensive weapon used to attack Ms Whyte.

The trial continues.