Image source, Surrey Police

We're now going to close our live coverage of the sentencing of Robert Rhodes, who was jailed for a minimum of 29 years and six months for killing his wife Dawn in 2016.

Rhodes, 52, cut his wife's throat in their kitchen in Wimborne Avenue, Earlswood, Surrey, on 2 June 2016, and got away with the killing for years having claimed he did so in self-defence.

The case was retried after Rhodes' child, who was under 10 years old at the time, came forward with evidence that Rhodes had coerced them into helping to kill Dawn, and cover up the murder.

The child said they were told by Rhodes to tell their mother that they had drawn a picture and to "close your eyes and hold out your hand", at which point they left the room and he attacked Dawn.

In court, the child read their victim statement saying the "guilt and shame will never go away" and that Rhodes had "not only murdered my mother, but he took my father away from me as well".

Rhodes refused to attend court for his sentencing, doing so as a protest while he maintained his innocence.

Dawn's mother, Liz Spencer, said she had "waited 10 years for this result" but that she "doesn't look upon the result as justice".

Kirsty Spencer, Dawn's sister, added that "time is no healer".

Sentencing Rhodes, Mrs Justice Naomi Ellenbogen said Rhodes had shown "cowardice" by not attending the sentencing, adding: "Your wicked and callous acts have had a devastating and divisive effect."

You can read more on this in our news story here.

We now have more of the statement from DCI Kimball Edey, of Surrey Police, who said:

“The fact that Rhodes not only murdered his wife in cold blood but then manipulated and groomed a child to play a part in his evil scheme and cover up what he had done is simply despicable - not only did he take a life; he irreparably damaged another, as well as the lives of everyone else who loved Dawn.

“During the first trial, Dawn was portrayed as the villain but had actually been a victim of domestic abuse and coercive control at the hands of her husband for years.

“Her tragic death draws attention to the need to dispel and challenge myths and stereotypes around who may or may not be victims of domestic abuse, and who indeed may be capable of causing such harm. Otherwise, many victims will feel unable to reach out, and will continue to suffer in silence, while those causing harm in relationships are able to exist unchecked.

"We would urge anyone who believes they, or a friend or family member, may be experiencing abuse to report it. If you have any concerns at all for yourself, or a loved one, we encourage you to seek help."

Edey also thanked the investigation teams involved, the CPS, and the witnesses who gave evidence in the case.

Image source, Charlie Rose / BBC

We are now hearing from Kimball Edey, the senior investigating officer from Surrey Police.

He called the "tremendous bravery" of the child "nothing short of extraordinary", adding: "I would like to send my heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of Dawn Rhodes.

"They have had to deal with the fact that Robert Rhodes had got away with murder for nine years."

Libby Clark, from the Crown Prosecution Service, is now speaking outside court. She said: "Robert Rhodes thought he had got away with murder.

"Dawn's voice has now been heard."

As a reminder, you can watch the statements live at the top of the page.

Image source, Surrey Police

If you're just joining us, here is a reminder of what has happened so far:

• Robert Rhodes has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 29 years and six months for murdering his wife Dawn in their home in Redhill, Surrey in June 2016
• Rhodes, 52, cut his wife's throat from behind but was initially cleared of murder in a 2017 trial after claiming self-defence
• He was eventually retried under double jeopardy rules when his child came forward with new evidence that they had been involved in a plot to kill Dawn and cover up the killing
• The child said in court that the "guilt and shame will never go away", adding: "I wish I could say Robert Rhodes hasn't taken everything from me, but I can't"
• Judge Mrs Justice Naomi Ellenbogen said in her sentencing remarks that Rhodes' "wicked" and "callous" acts sought to "deprive Dawn of her good name"

Following the sentencing earlier today, we are now expecting some reaction outside Inner London Crown Court to come soon.

Our reporters Charlie Rose and Nick Johnson are both at the court and will bring you live updates.

We will bring you the latest developments, and you will be able to watch this live at the top of the page when it begins.

Speaking to BBC South East, legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg called the case, including the aspects of double jeopardy, “highly unusual”.

Rozenberg said: “It’s very unusual for the witness to come forward and say what they told the police was wrong.

“It’s very unusual indeed for a witness who was present at the crime to come forward later and say what they saw.”

As a reminder, Robert Rhodes was convicted due to double jeopardy rules which allow serious cases to be retried again when new and compelling evidence which was not available during the first trial is brought to light.

Often this comes about due to new DNA evidence, but in this case it was the new account of Rhodes’ child, which was revealed to their therapist.

Continuing her remarks, the judge added that she was satisfied the motivation for Rhodes' murder of his wife was "sexual jealousy".

The court also heard about Rhodes' "sinister" online searches including looking up household poisons and "covert hypnotism".

Warning: This post contains details some may find distressing

We can now bring you some more of what Judge Ellenbogen told the court during her sentencing remarks.

The court heard that, on the May bank holiday before the killing, Rhodes had "decided the time had come to murder your wife and to involve your child in that plot".

Judge Ellenbogen added that Rhodes cut his wife's throat from behind in a "rapid and forceful action".

At the beginning of her remarks, she noted that Rhodes had refused to attend the hearing, maintaining his innocence, and added "cowardice" to the "malignant" characteristics shown in his actions.

Judge Ellenbogen has finished delivering her sentencing remarks.

She concludes: "This has been a difficult and highly unusual case which has required sensitive and prolonged handling."

The judge also commended the actions of Sussex and Surrey Police forces involved in the case.

We're continuing to comb through the details of the sentencing - stay with us.

Judge Ellenbogen is now going through sentences for the other charges.

For child cruelty, Rhodes has been given a sentence of six years and nine months in prison.

For perverting the course of justice, Rhodes also receives six years and nine months in prison.

For the two charges of perjury, Rhodes receives four and three years respectively

These sentences will run concurrent to the murder sentence, meaning Rhodes will still serve a minimum term of 27 years and 321 days, because of time he has served in prison already.

Robert Rhodes has been given a life sentence for the murder of his wife Dawn in 2017.

He will remain in prison for a minimum term of 29 years and six months, Judge Ellenbogen says.

Judge Ellenbogen says Robert Rhodes will not receive a whole-life order, which would have meant that he would spend the rest of his life in prison.

Rhodes will instead be given a life sentence with a minimum term, after which he could be considered for release.

There is "no guarantee" that Rhodes will be released after this minimum term, Judge Ellenbogen stresses.

Judge Ellenbogen says cocaine was found in Robert Rhodes' system following the killing.

She added: "I am sure that you had taken cocaine on 2 June [the day of the murder] to strengthen your resolve to carry out your murderous plan."

The court has now heard some of the online searches Rhodes made in the lead-up to killing Dawn.

The searches include looking for "household and other poisons" and "covert hypnosis".

Judge Ellenbogen described the searches as "sinister".

Judge Ellenbogen is now summing up the facts of the case to the court.

While she is going through the details, we can bring you a brief reminder of what was previously heard at trial.

Rhodes’ conviction came after the revelation of evidence from his child, who came forward with a new account in 2022.

The child said their father had asked them during a car journey on a May bank holiday evening whether they wanted to “get rid of mum”.

On 2 June, 2016, Rhodes asked the child to tell Dawn Rhodes they had drawn her a picture and to ask her to “close your eyes and hold out your hand”.

The child then left the room, at which point Rhodes cut his wife’s throat with a kitchen knife.

You can read more about the court case here.

Judge Ellenbogen has praised the "fortitude" of the child for coming forward and giving their new account.

On Rhodes' actions towards his wife, she said: "Having taken her life away, you sought to deprive Dawn of her good name."

Delivering her remarks, Judge Ellenbogen says Rhodes has shown "cowardice" by not attending his sentencing hearing.

She said "your wicked and callous acts have had a devastating and divisive effect" on the child and Rhodes' family.

Mrs Justice Naomi Ellenbogen is about to begin her sentencing remarks.

We will bring you the latest developments, and you can watch live at the top of this page when the sentencing gets under way.