A man has confessed to raping a Sikh woman by unlawfully entering her residence and hurling derogatory slurs at her. John Ashby, aged 32, admitted to the religiously motivated rape and assault of the victim at Birmingham Crown Court. Initially denying the accusations, Ashby changed his plea during the trial proceedings.

According to prosecutors, Ashby, who was without a fixed address, assaulted the woman in Walsall in October. Allegedly, he followed her off a bus and gained entry into her home while she was upstairs.

During the trial opening, Phil Bradley KC informed the jury that despite the victim’s screams, Ashby forced her to undress, struck her with a stick, choked her, and demanded she get into the bathtub. Throughout the ordeal, he racially and religiously abused her.

Details emerged that Ashby asked the victim about a toothbrush, exposed himself, and engaged in inappropriate behavior. He even poured hot water on her while instructing her to utter religious phrases.

Footage from police body cameras showing the victim was presented to the court, where she mentioned being called offensive names by the attacker. Witnesses described the victim as hysterical and screaming while reporting the rape in the bathroom.

In a video interview played in court, the victim recounted the traumatic experience, including the attacker’s racial and religious insults. Amid the proceedings, a spectator confronted Ashby, prompting a heated exchange before the judge adjourned for lunch.

Upon resuming the trial, Ashby confessed to the religiously aggravated rape and assault charges. He is set to receive his sentencing on Friday.