Members of the Sikh community have voiced outrage after a man confessed to a racist sex attack on a woman he mistakenly believed to be Muslim. John Ashby, 32, formerly of Stockland Green, Birmingham, admitted rape, intentional strangulation, robbery, and religiously aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the second day of his trial at the Crown Court.
The victim was on her way home from work when Ashby stalked her from a bus and forced his way into her Walsall home. During the attack, he called her a 'Muslim b****' and said he wanted to 'give her some British c***'. He poured hot water over her, demanded she say 'hallelujah', and forced her to repeat a mantra that 'he was the master and she was a b****'.
Sikh Women's Aid Praises Victim's Courage
Sukhvinder Kaur, chair of Sikh Women's Aid, praised the victim's 'courage and resilience in seeking justice following such a horrific ordeal'. She criticised Ashby for initially pleading not guilty, saying his actions 'reflect wider concerns about how perpetrators are able to navigate the system in ways that can compound harm for survivors'. She added: 'We now look to the sentencing hearing on Friday and expect that it reflects the severity of the harm caused and the clear danger this perpetrator poses.'
Community Leaders Call for Stronger Action Against Hate
Jas Singh, principal advisor to Sikh Federation (UK), said it was 'deeply unacceptable' that Ashby insisted he was innocent despite 'disturbing evidence'. He welcomed the guilty plea, which spares the victim a prolonged trial, but stressed the need for accountability. 'Crimes driven by racial hatred and violence have no place in our society, and they must be met with firm and unequivocal consequences,' he said. Singh also called on the government to 'do far more to tackle anti-Sikh hate and to better protect those at risk within our community'.
Details of the Attack
Prosecutor Phil Bradley KC told the jury that Ashby was a 'complete stranger' to the victim and had targeted her on a bus on 25 October last year. After she returned home and went upstairs, he forced his way into the bathroom and raped her. He also stole jewellery and a mobile phone. Ashby will be sentenced on Friday, 24 April, and could face a life sentence.
