British man John Ashby has been sentenced to life in prison for raping a Sikh woman after mistaking her for a Muslim. Ashby pleaded guilty to the crime earlier this week and was sentenced on Friday.During the sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court, Judge Pepperall described Ashby as a “very unpleasant racist and Islamophobic”, the BBC reported.The attack took place in October 2025, with Ashby following the woman, who was in her 20s, and unknown to him, after she got out of her car. He tracked her to her home in Walsall and entered her home with a stick he picked up from the ground.Once inside, he attacked her, beat her with a stick and tried to strangle her before forcing her into the bathroom where he raped her. During the attack, he shouted anti-Muslim slurs, despite the victim repeatedly telling him she was Sikh.The violence continued and he forced her into a bedroom, made insulting comments and poured hot water on her, prosecutors said. He also forced her to say “hallelujah” during the ordeal. The attack ended when he appeared to be disturbed by noise outside, before he fled, taking the jewelery and the victim’s mobile phone.Shortly after the incident, the woman called police, who arrived within minutes. She later recognized Ashby during an identity parade and he was arrested two days after the attack.Ashby admitted charges of rape, robbery, voluntary strangulation and aggravated religious assault during his trial. He was told he must serve at least 14 years before being considered for parole.
