John Ashby

Verified case summary

What happened

The official report from Official court source identifies John Ashby, 32, from West Midlands.

The case concerns religiously aggravated rape and assault of a sikh woman in her home.

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Three days later, she attended an identity parade and positively identified Ashby as her attacker, leading to his arrest the same day.

Investigation and court case

Ashby pleaded guilty on the second day of his trial, having previously denied the charges.

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

Sentence and restrictions

John Ashby, 32, of no fixed address, was sentenced today (24 April 2026) at Birmingham Crown Court.

Ashby ordered her to remove her clothes, struck her with a stick, put his hands around her neck and strangled her, before demanding she climb into the bath and raping her.

John Ashby (DOB: 27 Oct 1993) was convicted of rape, contrary to section 1 (1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, intentional strangulation contrary to section 75A(1)(a) and (5) of the Serious Crime Act 2015, robbery contrary to section 8(1) of the Theft Act 1968. and religiously aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to section 29(1)(b) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 Back to CPS News centre Sign up to the CPS newsletter Receive regular newsletters from your local CPS area.