Walsall Rape Trial: Man Accused of Attacking Woman He Believed Was Muslim
A Sikh woman was allegedly raped in her own home by a complete stranger who followed her from a bus in Walsall, believing she was Muslim, Birmingham Crown Court has heard. The distressing case involves multiple charges against defendant John Ashby, who prosecutors say targeted the woman based on religious hostility.
The Alleged Attack in Walsall
John Ashby, 32, is on trial accused of rape, intentional strangulation, robbery of jewellery and a mobile phone, and religiously aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The alleged offences occurred on October 25 last year in Walsall, with the defendant pleading not guilty to all charges.
Prosecutor Phil Bradley KC told jurors that Ashby followed the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, after she boarded a bus home from work around 4:30pm. The woman had visited Poundland in Walsall town centre before catching the bus home, unaware that Ashby had boarded the same vehicle.
Religious Hostility Central to Case
The prosecution alleges that religious hostility was central to the attack. According to Mr Bradley, Ashby called the woman a "Muslim b****" during the assault and told her he was there to "have fun" and "give her some British c***."
"It was his hostility towards her, believing she was a Muslim and calling her a Muslim b**** before assaulting her," Mr Bradley stated regarding the religiously aggravated nature of the alleged offences.
During the attack, Ashby allegedly demanded the woman say "hallelujah" and repeat his mantra that "he was the master and she was a b****." He also reportedly poured hot water over her while making these demands.
The Disturbing Sequence of Events
The court heard how Ashby allegedly followed the woman off the bus at approximately 6:30pm and tracked her to her home address. CCTV footage reportedly shows him walking past her property and "disappearing from view" before appearing on the driveway of a neighboring home.
"He was doubtless assessing how he could get into her home address," Mr Bradley suggested to the jury.
Once inside the woman's home, Ashby allegedly turned off the lights, struck her with a stick he had concealed in his jacket, and strangled her by putting his hands around her neck. He then reportedly demanded she climb into the bathtub, where he exposed himself and slapped her hair with his genitals.
After the alleged rape in the bathroom, Ashby is said to have ordered the woman to go to her bedroom and lie on the bed, where he repeated his intention to "give her some British c***."
Escape and Arrest
The woman eventually managed to create an opportunity to escape by telling Ashby there was oil in the kitchen. When she ran toward the front door, he allegedly dragged her back inside before being "evidently spooked" by a noise outside.
When the woman screamed that it was her housemate returning, she began screaming for help. Neighbors rushed to her aid and found her "naked and thoroughly distressed," according to the prosecution.
Ashby fled the scene but was arrested in Perry Barr two days later. During his arrest, he reportedly told police: "You never see any Englishmen in Perry Barr anymore."
Evidence Presented to Court
Forensic evidence presented to the court includes Ashby's DNA found on the woman, as well as DNA matching the defendant discovered on a vape and toothbrush inside the woman's home. The woman also identified Ashby during a police identification parade.
During police interviews, Ashby mostly answered "no comment" except when shown a photograph of the woman. At that point, he reportedly asked why she wasn't wearing a hijab and stated: "I don't know who that woman is as far as I'm aware."
The court heard that the woman came to the UK for work in September 2023. The trial continues with the central issue understood to be one of consent, according to information presented to the jury of six men and six women.
