A sex attacker who raped a Sikh woman in a religiously aggravated attack has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 14 years.
A trial at Birmingham Crown Court heard John Ashby shouted racist and anti-Muslim abuse as he beat the victim with a stick after following her off a bus and into her home.
Jurors were told the 32-year-old raped the woman, who was a stranger to him, after forcing her to take off her clothes in her bathroom, while telling her he was a “British master”.
Ashby, of no fixed address, changed his pleas on the second day of his trial to admit charges of rape, robbery, intentional strangulation and religiously aggravated assault.
Prosecutor Phil Bradley KC told the trial Ashby followed the woman on foot and entered her property in Walsall, West Midlands, in October last year.
Mr Bradley told jurors that despite her screams, Ashby barged his way into her bathroom, tried to strangle her and “racially and religiously abused her” throughout her ordeal.
Passing sentence on Friday, High Court judge Mr Justice Pepperall told Ashby that remarks made during the offending “reveal you as a deeply unpleasant racist and Islamophobe”.
The judge added: “You raped this woman after you forced your way uninvited into her home.
“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.”
During the rape, the court heard that Ashby, who later tested positive for cocaine use, referred to his private parts as being white and British and ordered the woman to say hallelujah.
When he was arrested in Birmingham two days after the attack, Ashby told police “you never see any Englishmen in Perry Barr any more”.
The sentencing hearing was told Ashby has 10 previous convictions for 18 offences and a history of drug abuse-related mental illness.
At the time of the rape he was homeless, having been discharged from psychiatric care three days earlier without a support package after it was decided he was no longer psychotic.
In a statement issued after the sentencing, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Ashby was linked to the attack by DNA evidence and fingerprints found at the scene.
He was also picked out by the victim at an identity parade.
In a victim personal statement, read into the court record by a barrister, the woman, who is aged in her 20s, said: “What happened to me has changed every part of my life.
“Before the incident life was great. I was enjoying life. Now following the incident my life has drastically changed. I feel like that version of myself has been stripped away by a complete stranger with no explanation as to why.
“I feel lost and I struggle to recognise myself.”
The victim, who was also present in court when Ashby changed his pleas, added: “It took everything in my being to come to court. But I knew I needed to get justice, the justice I deserve and closure on the ordeal I went through.”
John Ashby armed himself with a stick before the attack (West Midlands Police/PA)
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Saying she was “finally free” after watching Ashby admit his guilt, the woman continued: “I now no longer feel trapped. I can begin to live my life again.”
The Sikh Federation (UK) welcomed the life sentence.
Dabinderjit Singh OBE, a lead executive at the federation, said: “Justice Pepperall has shown courage by handing down a life sentence to racist John Ashby that matches his crime. He described him as a very dangerous man.”
He also said the sentence would send “a strong signal to all racists that carry out violent attacks” and expressed hope it would “help the victim through this trauma”.
Senior Crown Prosecutor Rav Dhillon, from the CPS, said: “This was a deeply disturbing attack driven by religious hatred, carried out against an innocent woman in her own home – where she had every right to be and feel safe.
“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.”
A member of the public who walked towards the dock and angrily confronted Ashby around an hour before the defendant decided to change his pleas was told he will not face contempt of court proceedings.
In a short hearing held after Ashby was sentenced, Gurbinder Singh, 54, of Tividale, West Midlands, told the court: “I would sincerely like to apologise. It (video evidence played to the court on Tuesday) got too much for me.”
Mr Singh said he had attended the trial out of support for the Sikh community, the court heard.
Mr Justice Pepperall 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”.
He told Mr Singh: “Interrupting court proceedings in the way that you did on Tuesday is a serious matter.
“I accept your apology. Please do make sure that nothing of that sort ever happens again. You are free to leave.”
