DWAYNE RHODEN SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN PRISON IN WHITBY
A detective who led a distressing rape investigation in Whitby has commended a teenage girl whose bravery played a crucial role in securing her attacker’s 12-year prison sentence.Dwayne Anthony Rhoden, aged 34 and from Union Street, Middlesbrough, was handed his sentence today (Wednesday, 17 April 2024) at York Crown Court.
Following a trial held in January, Rhoden was convicted of nine crimes, including five counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, one count of sexual assault, and false imprisonment.
He also admitted to a tenth offence for failing to notify authorities of his change of address as a Registered Sex Offender.
Alongside his prison term—which includes an extended three-year period on licence—Rhoden was also placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Background to the Case The assault occurred at a residence in Whitby, starting around 11pm on Sunday, 13 August 2023, and continuing until just after midnight on Monday, 14 August 2023.
At 12:53am, North Yorkshire Police received a 999 call from a friend of the victim.
The girl was then connected to the police operator, providing a chilling account of her ordeal.
The investigation was led by Detective Constable Matthew Edwards of the Scarborough and Ryedale Safeguarding Investigation Team.
He uncovered that Rhoden had lured the teenager to his bedsit after initially meeting her in town roughly thirty minutes earlier.
The girl managed to leave the premises approximately an hour later and contacted friends who helped her call the police.
Rhoden was arrested at the bedsit at 2:42am and taken into custody for questioning.
He was subsequently charged with the ten offences.
