Whitby rape case: Detective praises courageous teenager who made her “sadistic” attacker face justice
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The detective who led a harrowing rape investigation in Whitby has praised a teenage girl whose courage ensured her attacker has been jailed for 12 years.
Dwayne Anthony Rhoden (pictured below), 34, from Union Street, Middlesbrough, was sentenced at York Crown Court today (Wednesday 17 April 2024).
Following a trial in January, Rhoden was found guilty of nine offences including:
- five counts of rape
- two counts of sexual assault by penetration
- sexual assault
- false imprisonment
He pleaded guilty to a 10th offence of failing to comply with change of address notifications as a Registered Sex Offender.
As well as the prison sentence which includes an extended three years on licence, Rhoden was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Background to the investigation
The incident happened at an address in Whitby from around 11pm on Sunday 13 August 2023 to just after midnight on Monday 14 August 2023.
At 12.53am, a 999 call was made to North Yorkshire Police by a friend of the victim.
The girl was then put on the phone and she gave the first account of her terrifying ordeal to the Force Control Room.
An investigation was launched led by Detective Constable Matthew Edwards from the Scarborough and Ryedale Safeguarding Investigation Team.
He was able to establish that Rhoden had lured the teenager to a bedsit he was staying in after meeting her in town around 30 minutes before.
DC Edwards said: “As soon as she went into the room he was renting, she was physically attacked. He grabbed her by the back of the neck, forced her onto a bed and overpowered her.
“Rhoden subjected her to a terrifyingly violent, sadistic and sustained sexual attack.
“He would not listen to her repeated calls to get off her and to let her go. He would not allow her to leave the property.
“Rhoden was clearly taking pleasure in her extreme pain and distress.
“She said he threatened to kill her, and she genuinely feared she would die at the hands of Rhoden.”
The teenager was eventually able to leave the address after about an hour. She contacted friends who helped her to alert the police.
Rhoden was arrested at the bedsit at 2.42am and was taken into custody for questioning.
He was subsequently charged with the 10 offences.
DC Edwards said: “Not only did Rhoden subject the victim to the attack itself he also made her re-live the traumatic events all over again at court.
“He lied throughout the investigation and then the trial. His pathetic performance was unable to convince the jury who rightly convicted him of all the offences.
“The significant prison sentence handed to him by the Judge shows the severity of the crimes Rhoden committed against the brave victim.
“I have nothing but praise and admiration for the courage she has displayed in securing justice. Right from reporting the incident to the conclusion of the court proceedings.
“Together with a determined and sensitive investigation, she proved that abhorrent offenders like Rhoden cannot get away with attacking women and girls with impunity.
“I hope she can draw strength from the outcome at court and start to rebuild her life with support from her loving family and friends.”
Reporting sexual offences and seeking professional support
North Yorkshire Police
Make a report via our website or call 101, option 4 and speak to the Force Control Room.
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, always dial 999 for an emergency response.
NSPCC Helplines:
- Anyone concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000. Adult victims of non-recent sexual abuse can also get in touch for support.
- Childline is available for young people on 0800 1111 or at childline.org.uk
Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Victims who would prefer not to go direct to the police and are not in immediate danger, can contact Bridge House, North Yorkshire’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), on 0330 223 0362, email [email protected] or go to www.bridgehousesarc.org/
You can also contact the Supporting Victims in North Yorkshire at www.supportingvictims.org or call 01609 643100.