Man found guilty of killing estranged wife in Surrey retrial
New evidence from the couple's child proved pivotal to the case
Last updated 12th Dec 2025
A man has been convicted of murdering his estranged wife in a rare retrial at Inner London Crown Court on 12th December 2025.
Robert Rhodes, 52, from Withleigh, Devon originally stood trial in 2017 for the murder of Dawn Rhodes, who died at their family home in Redhill, Surrey, in June 2016.
At the time, he claimed self-defence, and the jury accepted his version of events, resulting in an acquittal.
The retrial followed new evidence provided by a key witness—the couple’s child—who revealed details of being manipulated into lying about the circumstances of the murder.
The trial and new evidence
The jury heard how Rhodes killed Dawn Rhodes by slitting her throat in their kitchen. He had claimed in 2016 that Dawn attempted to attack both him and their child and that he acted in self-defence to protect them.
During the retrial, evidence emerged showing that Rhodes manipulated the couple’s child, under 10 at the time, into giving false accounts to support his story.
The child later disclosed to their therapist in November 2021 that Rhodes had planned his wife's murder, referred to it as "our plan," and forced the child to play a role in the cover-up.
Rhodes inflicted wounds on himself and encouraged the child to injure him further, aiming to present the scene as an attack by his wife. He also cut the child’s arm deeply, requiring stitches under general anaesthetic.
Following this new evidence, the Court of Appeal overturned the initial acquittal, and a retrial began in October 2025. The jury unanimously convicted Rhodes of murder and additional charges, including child cruelty, perjury, and perverting the course of justice.
Abuse and manipulation
The court heard how Rhodes subjected Dawn to coercive control and domestic abuse leading up to her death, which included isolating her and deteriorating their marriage. Descriptions of his manipulation extended beyond his wife to include grooming the couple’s child in the years following the crime, ensuring they stuck to the fabricated story even during supervised contact.
Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey from the Surrey and Sussex Police Major Crime Team said, "Robert Rhodes not only murdered his wife in cold blood but manipulated and groomed his own child to play a part in his evil scheme to cover up what he had done. The bravery of this child in coming forward so many years later to tell the truth about what really happened is remarkable."
Tributes to Dawn Rhodes
Dawn’s family shared emotional tributes describing her as a loving mother, sister, and daughter who devoted herself to her children and community work.
Her sister Kirsty noted, "There cannot be justice for Dawn because she is dead, but for the first time in years, Dawn’s voice has finally been heard."
Her mother Liz described her daughter as strong and caring, explaining how her love for her children brought her joy. "She was capable and brought people together, organising charity and community events to support those around her," Liz said.
Dawn’s brother, Darren, reflected on the pain of losing her and the impact on their extended family. He expressed hope that Dawn’s story might encourage women in similar situations to seek support.
Sentencing
Robert Rhodes is due to be sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on 16th January 2026.