A UK-based man has admitted carrying out a violent rape and robbery of a Sikh woman in her home, alongside subjecting her to religiously aggravated abuse, during a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.John Ashby, 32, who has no fixed address, changed his plea to guilty on the second day of proceedings after initially denying the charges.The offences relate to an attack that took place in Walsall in October 2025, reports BBC.He has now admitted rape, robbery, intentional strangulation and religiously aggravated assault. The court heard that the victim did not know Ashby prior to the incident. On the day of the attack, she had returned home after getting off a bus, unaware that he had followed her. Prosecutors said Ashby later entered her property armed with a stick he had picked up from the ground.After hearing a noise inside her home, the woman attempted to protect herself by locking herself in the bathroom. However, Ashby forced entry and carried out the attack. Prosecutor Phil Bradley KC told the court that once inside, Ashby turned off the light and told the woman he was “here to have fun.”During the assault, the victim was struck with the stick and strangled. She was forced into a bathtub, where Ashby turned on hot water and continued the attack. The court heard that throughout the ordeal, he subjected her to a stream of Islamophobic abuse, apparently believing she was Muslim, despite her being Sikh.Prosecutors said Ashby also forced the woman to repeat phrases and referred to himself as “the master.”After raping her, he made her go into the bedroom and lie on the bed while continuing to make abusive and degrading comments. He also stole jewellery and a mobile phone before leaving the property.The attack ended when Ashby appeared to be disturbed by a noise outside and fled. The victim quickly raised the alarm, and police arrived within minutes. She later identified Ashby during an identity parade.Ashby was arrested two days later in the Perry Barr area of Birmingham.During police interviews, he made comments about the victim’s appearance, including questioning why she was not wearing a hijab. The court also heard that while in custody, he made remarks expressing hostility about the local community.Proceedings were briefly interrupted during the trial when a member of the public approached the dock and swore at Ashby after he appeared to mutter something under his breath. Court staff intervened promptly, and order was restored. The judge later praised the court usher for handling the situation calmly.Ashby is due to be sentenced on Friday. The presiding judge, Justice Pepperall, warned that a life sentence is under consideration, citing the seriousness of the offences. He described the defendant as a dangerous individual, highlighting that the crimes involved a violent home invasion and were aggravated by hostility based on the victim’s perceived religion.