BIRMINGHAM — The Sikh Federation (UK) has issued a strong statement demanding a maximum life sentence for John Ashby, who is set to be sentenced for the brutal, religiously aggravated rape of a Sikh woman in Walsall late last year. A copy of the written release is available with Sikh Siyasat News (SSN).
Ashby pleaded guilty earlier this week at the Birmingham Crown Court to a series of severe charges, including rape, robbery, intentional strangulation, and religiously aggravated assault. Presiding judge Justice Pepperall has already warned the defendant that he could face life imprisonment for the horrific October attack.
Dabinderjit Singh OBE, Lead Executive at the Sikh Federation (UK), emphasized the gravity of the crime and the need for strict judicial action. “Although the victim was spared the ordeal of giving evidence when Ashby changed his plea to guilty, the judge should not show any leniency for the horrific attack,” he stated.
Highlighting the chilling nature of the crime, Singh added, “The vicious attack took place in the victim’s home. Those that have watched the video footage from the bus and read details of the attack have been horrified as Ashby chose a victim that was a complete stranger.”
The organization is particularly stressing the extreme racial and religious hostility that fueled the assault, urging the court to weigh this heavily in its decision. “The racial hatred and hostility towards the Sikh victim is a fact that should not be overlooked by the judge when sentencing,” Singh noted. He further pointed out that Ashby’s “repeated reference to being ‘white’ and ‘superior’ during the attack and his ignorance about the racial and religious identity of the Sikh victim is critical when sentencing.”
Local police have condemned the violent incident as “abhorrent,” noting that the trauma of the ordeal was severely compounded by the discriminatory language Ashby used against the victim.
As the sentencing takes place, the Sikh Federation (UK) and community advocates are calling for the case to receive prominent, front-page coverage on mainstream TV news channels to highlight the severe realities of religiously aggravated crimes.
