Man charged with rape and religiously aggravated assault of Sikh woman in Walsall

A man charged with the rape and sexual assault of a Sikh woman in Walsall has been remanded in custody after entering no plea at Birmingham magistrates court. This comes after a woman in her 20s was attacked in the Park Hall area of Walsall on 25 October 2025, West Midlands police said on Tuesday. John Ashby, described by police as a white British man aged 32 from Stockland Green, Birmingham, has also been charged with religiously aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation and robbery of jewellery and a mobile phone. Ashby, of no fixed abode, appeared in court for his first hearing on Wednesday and entered no plea, and gave no indication of a plea. The 32-year-old did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody. Ashby spoke in court to confirm his name and date of birth, in view of a packed public gallery. As Ashby was taken into custody by officers, an individual sitting in the public gallery swore at him, and had to apologise to the court. Judge Wain said: “I understand feelings are running high but that is unacceptable.” Ashby is due to appear at Birmingham crown court on 26 November.