A British man has admitted raping a Sikh woman at her home, whom he mistakenly believed to be Muslim. John Ashby, 32, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to charges of rape, robbery, strangulation, and racially or religiously aggravated assault causing actual bodily harm at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday.
Change of Plea
Ashby changed his plea to guilty on the second day of his trial, approximately one hour after a Sikh member of the public approached the dock and said, "Sort your shit out." The jury had been selected and the trial had commenced before this development.
Details of the Attack
The court heard that Ashby followed the woman off a bus in Walsall on October 25 last year. He forced his way into her home armed with a two-foot stick while she was upstairs in the bathroom. The victim attempted to lock the door, but Ashby barged in, turned off the light, and proceeded to rape and assault her.
Prosecutor Phil Bradley KC described the attack: "Despite her screams, he told her to take her clothes off, struck her with the stick, and put his hands around her neck to strangle her and demanded that she climb into the bathtub. Throughout the attack, he racially and religiously abused her."
Ashby told the victim his name was John and demanded she repeat his mantra that "he was the master." He poured hot water over her and ordered her to say "Hallelujah." He then instructed her to lie on her bed, stating he was there "to have fun" while referring to his private parts as being "white British."
End of Attack and Arrest
The assault only ended when Ashby heard a noise and fled, taking the woman's jewelry and mobile phone with him. He left his DNA at the scene, including on a toothbrush he used to clean his teeth after the attack.
Ashby was arrested in Perry Barr two days later. Upon arrest, he told officers, "You never see an Englishman in Perry Barr anymore." During police interview, when shown a picture of the victim, he asked, "Why isn't she wearing a hijab?"
Ashby remains in custody pending sentencing.
