Darbar Sahib Radio

A man has appeared in court charged with rape, attempted strangulation and religiously or racially aggravated assault of a Sikh woman.

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 no indication of a plea.

The 32-year-old made no application for bail and was remanded in custody, Judge Wain said.

Ashby spoke in court to confirm his name and date of birth, in view of a packed public gallery.

As he was taken into custody by officers, an individual sitting in the public gallery swore at Ashby, having to later apologise to the court. Wain said: “I understand feelings are running high, but that is unacceptable.”

Ashby is due to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on 26 November.