Rapist who targeted woman because he thought she was Muslim is jailed for life

A man who targeted a Sikh woman thinking she was a Muslim told her he was her ‘British master’ as he raped her.

John Ashby, 32, had initially denied rape, robbery, intentional strangulation and religiously aggravated assault when he went on trial earlier this week.

He dramatically changed his plea when someone in the public gallery approached the dock and shouted ‘sort your shit out’.

Ashby had appeared to whisper ‘it’s all bullshit’ while the prosecutor laid out the case.

Gurbinder Singh, 54, who was attending the trial out of support for the Sikh community, walked calmly to within 3ft of the glass-fronted dock and told Ashby: ‘You’re the bullshit.

You need to sort your shit out.’

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Mr Singh apologised to the court today, saying: ‘I would sincerely like to apologise.

It (video evidence played to the court on Tuesday) got too much for me.’
The judge, Mr Justice Pepperall, told Mr Singh he would not face any contempt of court proceedings stemming from the outburst.

He said he accepted that anyone who watched video material presented during the case ‘could not be anything other than overwhelmed by the harrowing nature of that footage’.

Ashby was jailed for life with a minimum term of 14 years today.

Mr Justice Pepperall told Ashby that remarks made during the offending ‘reveal you as a deeply unpleasant racist and Islamophobe’.

‘You held her against her will as you sexually and physically assaulted her for at least 24 minutes.’
After sentence was passed, the judge addressed the victim and her partner, who were sitting in the public gallery, telling them: ‘I have nothing but admiration for your bravery.

I hope that with time, love and support you are able to rebuild your lives.’
Birmingham Crown Court heard he spotted the woman on a bus in Walsall last October.

Ashby told her he was her ‘British master’ during the assault.

He shouted racist and anti-Muslim abuse as he beat the woman with a stick.

The victim said: ‘He had a stick in his hand.

I said “who are you?” and I started screaming.

‘He switched off the light.

He said “I just want fun with you”.

He said “you are a f****** Muslim bitch”, I said “I am not a Muslim, I am a Sikh”.’
Harrowing body-worn footage showed the woman, who had been due to step into the witness box to relive her ordeal, being comforted by a police officer.

Prosecutors told the court there could be no doubt that Ashby was the man who attacked the woman, citing DNA evidence, fingerprints found on a vape and an identity parade.

CCTV footage also placed Ashby near the scene, where he picked up the two-foot long stick.

‘John Ashby targeted a complete stranger, subjected her to prolonged violence and religiously motivated abuse, and left her traumatised.

‘The CPS worked closely with West Midlands Police to present a robust case based on CCTV footage, DNA evidence and witness testimony.

‘The fact Ashby initially denied these charges before changing his plea part-way through the trial reflects the strength of the evidence against him.

‘We invited the court to treat the religious hostility shown throughout this offending as an aggravating feature.

No-one should be subjected to violence and hatred because of their background – perceived or otherwise.

‘Our thoughts remain with the victim, who showed remarkable courage, and we hope today’s sentencing brings her some measure of justice.’
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