A 32-year-old man has admitted raping a Sikh woman in her home after wrongly believing she was Muslim, while shouting racist and anti-Muslim abuse during the attack.
John Ashby pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court to charges of rape, robbery, intentional strangulation, and religiously aggravated assault. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Victim Was Followed Home
The court heard that Ashby targeted the woman after seeing her on a bus. He then followed her to her home in Walsall last October.
Police footage shown in court reportedly captured the victim describing the frightening attack.
The woman said the attacker abused her and called her anti-Muslim names during the assault, even after she told him she was Sikh.
Court Heard Details of Ordeal
According to evidence presented in court, the attacker forced his way inside, threatened the victim, and assaulted her in the bathroom.
The court was told he struck her, strangled her, and carried out the rape while continuing hateful abuse.
After the attack, he allegedly stole jewellery and a mobile phone before fleeing the scene.
Guilty Plea Changed During Trial
Ashby had first pleaded not guilty, but later changed his plea during court proceedings.
The judge accepted the guilty pleas on all major charges.
Judge Considers Life Sentence
The judge warned that he is considering a life sentence because of the seriousness of the crimes.
He described Ashby as a dangerous man who entered a stranger’s home, carried out violent offences, and showed hostility based on presumed religion.
Wider Concern Over Hate Crime
The case has raised serious concern over violence against women and religious hate crime in the United Kingdom.
Sentencing is expected later this week.
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