Man jailed for life over religiously aggravated rape and assault of Sikh woman

On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to rape, religiously aggravated assault and intentional strangulation.

Jurors were told that after following the woman, who is in her 20s, home in October last year, he forced his way into her property where he proceeded to rape, strangle and religiously abuse her, calling her "dirty" and telling her he was her "master".

High Court judge Mr Justice Pepperall told Ashby that remarks made during the offending “reveal you as a deeply unpleasant racist and Islamophobe”.

The judge added: “You raped this woman after you forced your way uninvited into her home.

“You held her against her will as you sexually and physically assaulted her for at least 24 minutes.”

After sentencing, the judge turned to address the victim and her partner in the public gallery, telling them: "I have nothing but admiration for your bravery. I hope that with time, love and support you are able to rebuild your lives."

Prosecutor Phil Bradley KC told jurors that despite the victim's screams, Ashby forced his way into her bathroom, attempted to strangle her and subjected her to prolonged racial and religious abuse.

During the rape, which happened at the woman's home in Walsall, Ashby referred to his private parts as being white and British and ordered the woman to say hallelujah, while also ordering her to remove her clothing.

The court heard Ashby later tested positive for cocaine use.

When arrested in Birmingham two days after the attack, Ashby told officers: "You never see any Englishmen in Perry Barr any more."

The sentencing hearing was told Ashby had 10 previous convictions for 18 offences and a history of drug abuse-related mental illness.

At the time of the attack he was homeless, having been discharged from psychiatric care just three days earlier without a support package in place.

This was after clinicians determined he was no longer psychotic.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Ashby was linked to the attack through DNA evidence and fingerprints recovered at the scene and was also identified by the victim at an identity parade.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Rav Dhillon said: "This was a deeply disturbing attack driven by religious hatred, carried out against an innocent woman in her own home - where she had every right to be and feel safe."

"John Ashby targeted a complete stranger, subjected her to prolonged violence and religiously motivated abuse, and left her traumatised.

"The fact Ashby initially denied these charges before changing his plea part-way through the trial reflects the strength of the evidence against him."

Mr Dhillon said the CPS had invited the court to treat the religious hostility displayed throughout the attack as an aggravating feature, adding: "No-one should be subjected to violence and hatred because of their background - perceived or otherwise."

He concluded: "Our thoughts remain with the victim, who showed remarkable courage, and we hope today's sentencing brings her some measure of justice."