John Ashby, 32, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 14 years for the religiously aggravated rape and assault of a Sikh woman in her home in Walsall, after admitting to the crimes following an outburst from a member of the public in court.
The victim, a woman in her 20s, was attacked on 26 October 2025 after Ashby followed her from a bus to her address. CCTV footage showed him loitering outside her house, where he picked up a stick about 1.5 metres long and hid it in his clothing before entering while she was upstairs changing. He forced his way into the bathroom, ordered her to remove her clothes, struck her with the stick, strangled her, and then raped her.
During the attack, Ashby directed Islamophobic abuse at the victim, whom he wrongly believed to be Muslim, calling her a “f****** Muslim bitch” and a “bloody Muslim bitch.” He likewise claimed to be a “British master” and told her, “I just aim for fun with you.” The victim repeatedly stated she was Sikh, not Muslim.
Ashby initially denied the charges but changed his plea to guilty on the second day of his trial at Birmingham Crown Court after being sworn at and told to “sort your shit out” by a member of the public who approached the dock. He had previously pleaded not guilty but asked to see his barrister following the confrontation.
The court heard that Ashby stole jewellery and a mobile phone from the victim’s home as he fled. He admitted to rape, intentional strangulation, robbery, and religiously aggravated assault. His defence team acknowledged he had mental health difficulties, was homeless, and had been diagnosed with autism and Asperger syndrome, having used drugs due to his condition.
Judge Mr Justice Pepperall described Ashby as a “deeply unpleasant racist and Islamophobe” and a “very dangerous man” who posed an “extreme” risk to the public, particularly women. He noted that Ashby’s mental health and drug use did not excuse the offences.
The attack was described as the second racially aggravated rape of a Sikh woman in the West Midlands within weeks. On 9 September 2025, another Sikh woman in her 20s was raped on Tame Road in Oldbury, with no charges brought in that case. Sikh Women’s Aid said the incidents had created a real sense of fear in the community, linked to broader societal narratives around migration and race.
Body-worn police footage played in court showed the victim being comforted by a female officer after the attack. She told investigators Ashby had switched off the light before assaulting her and had been initially aggressive and verbally abusive before becoming calm during the ordeal.
As the victim’s video interview was played to the jury, Ashby was seen muttering under his breath. A member of the public then left the gallery, approached the dock, and swore at him. Ashby responded by telling the man to “get the f*** out of my face” and shouted at another spectator before refusing to return to court temporarily.
He later returned, changed all his pleas to guilty, and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years. The judge praised the victim’s bravery and said she had his admiration.
Why did John Ashby change his plea during the trial?
Ashby changed his plea to guilty after being confronted and sworn at by a member of the public in the courtroom dock, which prompted him to ask for his barrister and reverse his earlier not guilty stance.
What evidence linked Ashby to the attack?
CCTV footage showed Ashby following the victim from the bus to her home, loitering outside, and entering her house; his fingerprints and DNA were found on a vape and toothbrush left in the bathroom, and body-worn police footage captured the victim’s account of the abuse.
How did the judge describe Ashby’s character and risk to the public?
Judge Mr Justice Pepperall called Ashby a “deeply unpleasant racist and Islamophobe” and a “very dangerous man” who poses an “extreme” risk to the public, especially women, stating his mental health did not excuse the crimes.
