West Midlands Police have released CCTV footage of a racist thug stalking an unsuspecting Sikh woman after targeting her on a bus in Walsall, before subjecting her to a horrific rape ordeal. The attacker, John Ashby, aged 32, followed the woman off the bus because he thought she was Muslim, and then broke into her home armed with a large rod.
The Attack
Ashby subjected the woman to a terrifying racially-motivated ordeal during which she was struck, raped, strangled, and assaulted. He also verbally abused her throughout the attack. The incident sparked outrage in the community, with residents, women's groups, and faith organizations calling for Ashby to be identified and caught.
Police Response
Ch Supt Samantha Batey of Walsall Police said: "This was an abhorrent and violent attack on a woman, which was made all the worse by the language Ashby used during the ordeal. We were able to get to the lady very quickly after she contacted us and offer her immediate support."
She added: "From the moment it was reported, our investigators worked flat out to identify the person responsible and support the lady who was attacked. That support continues to this day, and our thoughts remain with her and her loved ones. We understand the impact this horrific attack had on communities in the West Midlands and beyond."
Trial Details
During his trial at Birmingham Crown Court, the jury heard that Ashby followed the woman, aged in her 20s, home from work after boarding the same bus as her in Walsall on October 25 last year. He then barged into her home, calling her a "Muslim b****," telling her he was there to "have fun" and "give her some British ****," and claiming he was "the master." He also asked why she was not wearing a hijab.
Ashby, of no fixed address, initially denied rape, intentional strangulation, robbery, and racially aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm. However, he dramatically changed his plea on the second day of the trial, admitting to all charges.
Sequence of Events
Prosecutor Mr Phil Bradley said the Indian-born woman left work and caught a bus to Walsall town centre, then boarded another bus to complete her journey home. Ashby got on the same bus and initially sat upstairs, but shortly after moved to the lower level where she was sitting. The events were captured on CCTV and doorbell cameras.
Mr Bradley told the jury: "She turned into her driveway and went to the front door, and the defendant continued to walk past her address. However, he quickly about-turned. He picked up a stick which he put inside his jacket. Within a short time, he was inside her house. She went upstairs to change her clothes and went to the bathroom."
He continued: "She told the police that she heard a noise downstairs. Because she was home alone, she had no reason to lock the bathroom door. She rushed to do so. However, she was too late, and this defendant barged his way in, and so her ordeal began."
Ashby was preparing to attack her a second time in a bedroom when she "seized her chance" to go downstairs, but as she tried to flee, he dragged her back into the house. Moments later, Ashby fled with items of jewellery and her mobile phone after appearing to be "spooked" by a noise outside.
Arrest and Conviction
Despite being naked and in a distressed state, the victim left the property to raise the alarm, and a nearby resident came to her aid, leading to police arriving within minutes. Officers later took swabs from her and found DNA matching Ashby's, who has previous convictions. Following a public appeal, Ashby was tracked down and arrested in Perry Barr three days later. His fingerprints were also found on a vape he had left behind, as well as his DNA on the woman's toothbrush, which he had used in the bathroom.
While in custody, he told officers: "You don't see English men in Perry Barr any more." Ashby will be sentenced this morning in Birmingham.
