British Man Pleads Guilty to Racially Motivated Rape of Sikh Woman
A British man has admitted to a horrific series of crimes against a Sikh woman, including rape, robbery, and strangulation, in an attack that was racially and religiously aggravated. John Ashby, 32, who has no fixed address, changed his plea to guilty at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday, confessing to charges of rape, robbery, strangulation, and racially/religiously aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Violent Home Invasion and Assault
The court heard that Ashby followed the victim off a bus in Walsall on October 25 last year. He then forced his way into her home while armed with a two-foot stick. The woman was upstairs in the bathroom at the time and attempted to lock the door, but Ashby barged in, turned off the light, and proceeded to rape and assault her.
Prosecutor Phil Bradley KC detailed the attack, stating that despite the woman's screams, Ashby demanded she remove her clothes, struck her with the stick, and put his hands around her neck to strangle her. He also ordered her to climb into the bathtub. Throughout the ordeal, he subjected her to racial and religious abuse.
Disturbing Details of the Attack
Ashby told the victim his name was John and forced her to repeat a mantra that he was "the master." He poured hot water over her and instructed her to say "Hallelujah." After moving her to the bed, he referred to his private parts as being "white British" and stated he was there "to have fun."
The attack only ceased when Ashby heard a noise and fled the scene. He stole the woman's jewellery and mobile phone before escaping. However, he left his DNA at the crime scene, including on a toothbrush he used to clean his teeth after the assault.
Guilty Plea and Racist Remarks
Ashby changed his plea to guilty on the second day of the trial, approximately an hour after a Sikh member of the public approached the dock and told him to "sort your shit out." This intervention may have influenced his decision to confess.
When arrested in Perry Barr two days after the attack, Ashby made racist comments to officers, saying, "You never see an Englishman in Perry Barr anymore." During police interviews, when shown a picture of the victim, he asked, "Why isn't she wearing a hijab?" indicating he had targeted her under the mistaken belief she was Muslim.
The case highlights severe issues of racial and religious hatred, with Ashby's actions driven by bigotry. The court is expected to sentence him at a later date, following his admission of guilt for these heinous crimes.
