Racist rapist given life sentence

On 24^th April 2026 John Ashby was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape of a British Indian Sikh woman.  He was sentenced to concurrent terms of imprisonment for intentional strangulation, robbery and racially aggravated assault. In his sentencing remarks (which were televised), Mr Justice Pepperrall described Ashby as “a deeply unpleasant racist and Islamophobe”.

Leading Tim Sapwell of Cornwall Street Chambers and instructed by Rav Dhillon of the CPS, Phil Bradley KC prosecuted the case.  Leading Chloe Ashley, Michelle Heeley KC defended.

When he opened to the case on Monday 20^th April, Phil Bradley KC told the jury that on the early evening of Saturday 25^th October last year the defendant spotted the victim on a bus bound from Walsall town centre to the Birmingham Road area of the town. The victim, who was in her mid-twenties, was alone and had just finished work. When she alighted the bus, 32-year-old Ashby followed her from a distance, minutes later passing her home address as she went inside. He was then seen on the drive of a nearby property, obviously looking for a way into the victim’s home.

Having armed himself with a metre-long stick, Ashby pulled up his hood and entered through an insecure door at the back of the victim’s home.  By now, she was upstairs in the bathroom, and when she heard a noise attempted to lock the bathroom door. The victim was too late, and Ashby barged inside. And so, the victim’s ordeal began.

Ignoring her screams, Ashby repeatedly struck the victim with the stick and ordered her to undress and to climb into the bathtub. He strangled her, and repeatedly religiously and racially abused her, telling her that she was “Muslim bitch” and that she was “dirty”.  He then poured hot water over her and insisted that she said “Hallelujah” as he did so. He then raped her.

However, Ashby was not yet finished and demanded the victim went into her bedroom, where he threatened to rape her again. He constantly made her repeat his mantra that he was “The Master… The Big Master” and that she was a “bitch”.  He then directed her downstairs to find lubricant to rape her again. In a brave attempt to seek help, the victim ran to the front door, but Ashby dragged her back inside.

Shortly afterwards, the defendant was spooked when he heard a noise outside. He fled the property, taking some of the victim’s jewellery and a mobile phone with him. The victim, who was now naked and completely hysterical, raised the alarm and neighbours rushed to help her.

John Ashby was arrested two days later in the Perry Barr area of Birmingham. When he was booked into custody he told police, “You don’t see many white men in Perry Barr”. During interview under caution, he was shown a photograph of the victim, and asked, “Where’s her hijab?” He otherwise answered “no comment” to all questions.

On Tuesday, 21^st April the prosecution began calling the evidence, which included harrowing footage of the victim being dealt with at the scene by police officers. After a short adjournment to allow upset jurors to compose themselves, John Ashby refused to return to court.  Shortly afterwards he asked to see his legal representatives and then entered guilty pleas to all counts.

In her victim impact statement, which Phil Bradley KC read to the court, the victim described how the experience had traumatised her and devastated her life, but that she was determined not to let it define her.

In passing sentence, Mr Justice Pepperall told Ashby, “I conclude that you pose an extreme level of danger to the public – especially women – and there is no reliable way of estimating the length of time that you will remain a danger”.  His Lordship then addressed the victim directly, remarking on her courage in attending court and facing her attacker.