Headlines
Sudanese man jailed in UK for murdering asylum hotel worker
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 30, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 30, 2026
Quick Summary
A Sudanese asylum seeker was sentenced to 29 years for murdering a UK hotel worker, sparking anti-immigration protests.
Sudanese Asylum Seeker Sentenced for Murdering Hotel Worker in UK
Murder Case Overview
LONDON, Jan 30 (Reuters) - A Sudanese asylum seeker was jailed on Friday for a minimum of 29 years for murdering a woman who worked at the hotel in central England where he and other migrants were being housed.
Details of the Crime
Anti-immigration activists have seized on other criminal cases involving asylum seekers, predominantly young men, in hotels to argue that they are a danger to nearby communities.
Reactions and Protests
Last summer, a number of protests at asylum hotels across England – sparked by the arrest of an Ethiopian asylum seeker for sexually assaulting a teenage girl and a woman – turned violent.
Judicial Proceedings
The Labour government, nervous of the rise of the anti-immigration Reform UK party in opinion polls, has promised to clamp down on illegal immigration and, by 2029, to stop placing asylum seekers in hotels while their cases are processed.
Deng Chol Majek followed Rhiannon Whyte, 27, to a railway station in October 2024 after she finished her shift.
He stabbed her 23 times to the head, chest and arm with a screwdriver. She died in hospital three days later.
Majek was convicted in October and sentenced on Friday to life imprisonment with a minimum of 29 years at Coventry Crown Court, where some anti-immigration protesters gathered outside for the hearing.
Judge Michael Soole said the murder was "particularly vicious" and told Majek there had been a "chilling composure in every aspect of your behaviour".
(Reporting by Sam Tobin; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Key Takeaways
- •Sudanese asylum seeker sentenced to 29 years for murder.
- •Victim was a hotel worker in central England.
- •Crime has fueled anti-immigration protests in the UK.
- •Government plans to stop housing asylum seekers in hotels.
- •Murder described as 'particularly vicious' by judge.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sudanese man jailed in UK for murdering asylum hotel worker
1What is life imprisonment?
Life imprisonment is a legal penalty where a person is sentenced to spend the rest of their life in prison without the possibility of parole, depending on the jurisdiction.
2What are anti-immigration protests?
Anti-immigration protests are demonstrations organized by groups opposing immigration policies, often expressing concerns about the impact of immigrants on local communities and resources.
