John Ashby

John Ashby subjected a Sikh woman to a horrific, religiously aggravated rape and assault at her home in Walsall last October. The 32-year-old, of no fixed abode, followed his victim from a bus before forcing his way into her property and attacking her with a two-foot-long stick.

During the attack, Ashby referred to himself as a “British master” and repeatedly hurled anti-Muslim abuse at the woman, calling her a “bloody Muslim b***h”. The victim, a Sikh, told police she desperately tried to correct him, saying: “I am not a Muslim, I am a Sikh.” Ashby then raped her in the bathroom before robbing her.

Prosecutors at Birmingham Crown Court presented a compelling case against Ashby, citing DNA evidence, fingerprints recovered from a vape at the scene, and the fact the victim picked him out at an identity parade. CCTV footage also placed him near the scene where he picked up the stick used in the assault.

The trial began on Monday, with the Crown opening its case, but on Tuesday Ashby changed his pleas to guilty on charges of rape, robbery, intentional strangulation and religiously aggravated assault. The dramatic turnaround occurred shortly after a member of the public approached the dock and told the mumbling defendant to “sort your s**t out”.

Mr Justice Pepperall adjourned the case for sentence on Friday and warned Ashby he was considering a life sentence, describing him as a “dangerous individual”. The judge also praised the victim’s “great bravery” for attending court and commended a court usher for his calm response to the outburst directed at Ashby.