John Ashby, a 32-year-old man with no fixed address, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years for the religiously aggravated rape of a Sikh woman in Walsall. The attack occurred in October 2025, just three days after Ashby was discharged from a mental health unit without any follow-up care arrangements, despite being detained under the Mental Health Act for a psychotic episode.
Details of the Attack
Birmingham Crown Court heard that Ashby followed his victim into a car park in Walsall, sexually assaulted her, and then raped her in a nearby alleyway. The court was shown CCTV footage of Ashby holding a stick during the incident. The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was targeted by Ashby, who had a history of violence and drug use.
Mental Health Concerns
The judge, Mr Justice Pepperall, expressed concerns about Ashby's discharge from the mental health unit. Medical records showed that Ashby was admitted to a psychiatric intensive care unit in September 2025, where he was psychotic, hearing voices, and suffering from paranoid delusions. He made progress and was transferred to an acute ward, but by the time of his discharge on 22 October 2025, no structured after-care or accommodation was arranged, as required under the Mental Health Act.
While detained, Ashby was reported to be violent, threatening, abusive, and racist. He also struck a staff member repeatedly and threatened to kill him. Despite these issues, he was released without proper support.
Previous Convictions
Ashby had a long criminal record, including convictions for carrying weapons, criminal damage, assault, theft, drug possession, harassment, and breach of a restraining order. The judge noted that Ashby had previously seized a woman on the street while under the influence of drugs, claiming he was 'sexually frustrated'.
Sentencing Remarks
Mr Justice Pepperall told Ashby: 'Only you are responsible for your subsequent actions. Nevertheless, I am concerned that the medical records indicate that you were discharged without any proper after-care arrangements in place as required under the Mental Health Act. Structured after-care after a period of detention under the Act and, at the very least, accommodation upon discharge is important not just in the best interests of the patient but in order to manage the risk that the patient may pose to public safety.'
The judge imposed a life sentence with a minimum term of 14 years, reflecting the severity of the crime and the danger Ashby poses to the public.
