THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
PRESS RELEASE
Indian Workers Association (Great Britain)
Date: 29 April 2026
Community leaders have welcomed the life sentence handed down to John Ashby for the rape and assault of a Sikh woman in the West Midlands, describing the court’s decision as an important step in delivering justice.
Ashby was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court after admitting the violent attack on a Sikh woman at her home in Walsall in October 2025. He was given a life sentence and must serve a minimum term of around 13½ years before he can be considered for parole. During the assault he used racist and anti-Muslim abuse, apparently believing the victim was Muslim, although she was in fact a Sikh woman.
The case attracted widespread concern across the country and received significant media coverage.
Responding to the sentence, Sital Singh Gill, General Secretary of the Indian Workers Association (Great Britain), welcomed the court’s decision but said the case highlighted the wider issue of hate-motivated violence.
He noted that community organisations had come together to condemn racism and violence against women, including a large public meeting organised in Leicester with Kohinoor Radio. The meeting was addressed by Preet Kaur Sher Gill MP and Shockat Adam MP, alongside representatives from faith groups, trade unions and the anti-racism organisation Stand Up to Racism.
Gill also pointed to concerns that anti-Sikh hate crimes may be around 20% higher than official figures suggest, as many incidents are recorded under broader racially aggravated offences. He added that the true number may be significantly higher due to many anti-Sikh incidents going unreported.
He further said the community hopes justice will also be delivered in the separate case involving a Sikh woman in Oldbury.
Gill said:
“Violence against women can never be justified. An attack on any woman — regardless of religion, race or background — is an attack on all.”
