'Dangerous' man who raped Sikh woman in Walsall is jailed for life

A man who raped a Sikh woman in her own home after following her off a bus in Walsall has been jailed for life.

After stalking her drug addict John Ashby, aged 32, armed with a large stick found a way to get into the woman's home before subjecting her to a terrifying racially-motivated ordeal during which she was struck, raped, strangled and assaulted, during which he verbally abused her.

Today at Birmingham Crown Court he was jailed for a total of 21 years and six months for intentional strangulation, religiously aggravated rape, assault and robbery on October 25 and must remain behind bars before being considered for release in future.

Sentencing him Mr Justice Pepperall said: “I sentence you to life imprisonment for the offence of rape and order that you will serve a minimum term of 13 years 185 days. I impose concurrent sentences of imprisonment in respect of - 21 years and six months years for intentional strangulation, 14 years for robbery and four years and six months for religiously aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

“While it is well known that offenders sentenced to a determinate sentence of imprisonment are released early and serve the balance of their sentence in the community, it is important that both you and the public understand that when a judge imposes a sentence of life imprisonment, the offender must serve every single day of the minimum term. Furthermore, even after serving the minimum term, the offender will only be released from prison when the Parole Board decides that further imprisonment is no longer necessary for public protection.

“Upon eventual release, the offender will remain under supervision on licence for the rest of his life and may be recalled to prison at any time.”

The judge 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 by he Mental Health Act 1983. Structured after care after a period of detention - 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.”

He said a medical report stated Ashby fit the diagnostic criteria for an autism spectrum disorder and he had “maladaptive personality traits of a dissocial nature” which was suggested he had issues regulating his own behaviour.

Addressing the victim, who cannot be publicly named, the judge said: “I have nothing but admiration for you. You have bravely come to court and seeing this matter through to the end.”

“I am sorry for the horrendous impact this has had on you. I wish you and your boyfriend well. I hope that in time with love and support you will be able to - live your life and fulfill your dreams.”

The court heard that the police had not been made aware by the unnamed hospital that John Ashby had been discharged.

Defence barrister Miss Michelle Heeley said Ashby had been released without support package resulting in him he was living on the streets and asking people for money.

He was jailed for a minimum term of 13-and-a-half years for the religiously aggravated rape and assault.