Rapist Ashby jailed for life

John Ashby has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 14 years for the religiously aggravated rape of a Sikh woman.

Ashby followed the victim off a bus in Walsall, mistakenly believing she was Muslim, and subjected her to a vicious attack.

The judge described Ashby as a 'deeply unpleasant racist' and highlighted his history of misogynistic and Islamophobic social media posts.

The case has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for tougher action against hate-motivated crimes.