The trial of John Ashby, who attacked a Sikh female and raped her in her own home has come to a conclusion with the judge setting aside pleas from his defence barrister around his mental health conditions. Whilst Ashby’s defence barrister stated that he had suffered from psychotic episodes, including being hospitalised in September 2025, she nonetheless stated that the findings of the case were true and that the prosecution’s case was accepted. Ashby’s defence solicitor deferred from the prosecution’s suggestion that this was a deliberately targeted attack, suggesting that it was possibly opportunistic in its nature.
The Ashby case is extremely troubling given the racism, sexual aggression and anti-Muslim hate that was evident in this case. Also evident have been the deep impacts on the Sikh female and her partner who have suffered from panic attacks, bouts of feeling emotionally ‘overwhelmed’, shame and psychological trauma that have affected them in many ways. Listening to the Victim Impact Statement which was read out to the court on behalf of the victim, makes for a deeply painful and moving reading. The victim was subjected to 24 minutes of sexual assaults that have left a deep psychological impact on her.
Rav Dhillon of the Crown Prosecution Service said it was a “deeply disturbing attack driven by religious hatred” and carried out “against an innocent woman in her own home, where she would expect to feel safest”.
Ashby followed the victim to her house, and she described how he barged into her bathroom after entering her house. She stated that he had a stick in his hand and she questioned who he was and started screaming. Ashby then switched off the light and said, “I just want fun with you”. During the sexual assault and rape, he also made references to the victim being Muslim, though she stated that at various points she made clear that she was Sikh as a means of trying to stop the attack against her.
After the attack Ashby demanded money from the victim and when she mentioned that she had no cash, he went onto take jewellery items. The taking of these items, the victim said, also added to the impact of the rape and sexual assault since Ashby had also violated her cherished memories by taking these items of significance to her. During the hearing it became clear that Ashby only left the premises because he became spooked by noises outside that he had heard.
Ashby also appeared to inhale drugs during the attack, and when he was arrested, he also tested positive for cocaine. During the proceedings, it was disclosed that Ashby had previous convictions that included two for violence, and one for possession of an offensive weapon. Seven others were property convictions.
In the final stages of the summation of presenting arguments, the judge also told the jury that there had been a previous incident where Ashby had grabbed a passer by on the street and said that he was ‘sexually frustrated’. The judge said that he was entitled to take this event into account when sentencing.
Mental Make Up of John Ashby
During the course of the trial, the Walsall based British Sikh female victim has had to endure a number of traumas and memories of the sexual violence that have deeply affected both her and her partner. Furthermore, during the case, it transpired that Ashby had Hepatitis C and that the victim had to be tested for this, further adding to the trauma and deep distress and pain that she was feeling.
During this morning’s summation in the trial of Ashby, a picture of an impulsive, dangerous and violent man began to emerge, even before he attacked the victim in this case. The case also highlighted his potential danger to women even before he attacked the victim in question and the case has also highlighted a man who sought to meet his immediate needs with no care or regard to the safety or needs of others. In other words, Ashby was a man who was well on his way to conduct further criminal actions, judging by the profile that became clear through the case.
Ashby’s defence did not seek to base mitigation on his mental health issues. Their mitigating argument was that he did not plan and seek to target the Sikh female in question, inferring that the situation was one where the victim simply came into the sight of Ashby.
Ashby has accepted all of the charges of rape, robbery, intentional strangulation and religiously aggravated assault. The sad reality is that a young Sikh female, her partner and their relatives have been traumatised by what they have endured and it will take many years for them to heal. Yet, the victim has shown remarkable bravery and courage in stating to the court this morning, that she will carry on, heal and move on with her life and live it to the full.
Sentencing
During sentencing Justice Pepperall said that “she (the victim) opened the door and screamed for help (in her house), but you (Ashby) pulled her back”. Justice Pepperall went onto say that the Victim Impact Statement showed that Ashby’s actions had affected “every aspect of her life” and that the victim was “constantly in a state of fear and avoids going to the bathroom”.
The Judge also noted a “number of disturbing notes in the medical records” of Ashby and that he was “allowed drugs” whilst on leave and was noted as being “violent” and “racist”; he was also discharged without any proper aftercare being provided. Furthermore a psychiatrist report highlighted that drug use was a significant aggravating factor in Ashby’s mental health. This included the use of crack cocaine and synthetic cannabinoids.
Judge Pepperall went onto state that Ashby was a “deeply unpleasant racist and Islamophobe” and said there was some planning involved in Ashby’s offending as he “picked her out on the bus” and followed her home.
In summation, the judge said, “I have no doubt that you are a very dangerous man” and that you carry “an extreme level of danger to the public – in particular women”.
Ashby was sentenced to a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years in jail.
Comment from Iman Atta OBE – Director of Tell MAMA
“This British Sikh woman has demonstrated enormous resilience, bravery and courage in holding Josh Ashby to account for his sexual hate crimes. He was driven by racism, anti-Muslim and gender hate and he randomly followed a South Asian female to her home and subjected her to trauma that is unfathomable. The victim deserves all the respect, admiration, care and honour that we can give her since she is a true inspiration to many women in holding this monster to account.”
“We stand with our Sikh communities during this difficult trial. We see your fear and recognise that anti-Sikh sentiment is a unique danger that must be met with dedicated resources and stronger safeguards.”
“It is also clear that gender violence continues to be a significant factor and cancer in our society. We also understand the strong links between racism, religious hate crimes and the impacts on female members of diverse communities. This case demonstrates that link.”
READ MORE: Rapist admits anti-Muslim attack on Sikh stranger he targeted on a bus