Convicted rapist John Ashby, who brutally attacked a Sikh woman he mistook for Muslim, has been sentenced to life in prison. But the 32-year-old's alarming behavior was evident long before his horrific crime, as revealed by his disturbing social media presence.
Warning signs in online videos
Ashby posted countless videos on social media in the years leading up to his arrest, many of which showcased his hatred for police and his own family. In one clip, he raps, "Try and test me and I'll do what I do," set to Akon's Locked Up. In another, he smashes his room while shouting, "I wish that was your face." His videos also featured misogynistic content, including an Andrew Tate motivational video.
Threats and rants against family
Ashby frequently targeted his family in his rants, accusing them of trying to "alienate" him and threatening to sue them. In one video, he says, "Message to my family, now I'm gonna sue you all." He also claimed he was forced to sell an electric scooter to afford food, blaming his parents for his financial struggles.
Violent encounters with police
Ashby's disdain for law enforcement was a recurring theme. In one video, he calls police "tyrants" and "the enemy of the people." A 2024 clip shows him refusing to let officers into his cluttered room, leading to a standoff that ends with him being Tasered and arrested. He tells them, "You're not a good person, you're going straight to hell."
Concerns from those who knew him
A source who knew Ashby for over a decade said his actions were not surprising. "It was so obvious he was going to do something," the source said, describing his videos as a "nervous breakdown in real time." Ashby, who played football for the special needs England team and supported Aston Villa, was described as "intimidating and violent."
Ashby, from Birmingham, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 14 years at Birmingham Crown Court on April 24, 2026.
