Man charged with rape, sexual assault, strangulation and robbery after 'racially aggravated' attack on woman in Walsall

John Ashby, 32 and of no fixed abode, has today (Tuesday) been charged with rape and sexual assault in relation to the attack in the Park Hall area on Saturday evening (October 25).

West Midlands Police officers were called to the area at 7.15pm to reports of a distressed woman in the street.

Officers established that the woman, aged in her 20s, had been raped and assaulted at a nearby property by a man she did not know, the force said.

It confirmed that the incident was being treated as “racially aggravated”.

In addition to the rape and sexual assault allegations Ashby has been charged with intentional strangulation, racially aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and robbery in relation to the same victim.

He will appear at a court yet to be confirmed on Wednesday (October 29).

Ben Samples, head of the Crown Prosecution Service West Midlands Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said: “We have decided to prosecute John Ashby with rape, sexual assault, intentional strangulation, racially aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and robbery.

“This follows an investigation by West Midlands Police which looked at the rape and assault of a woman in her 20s at a property in Walsall.

“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

“We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial."