Latest Offenders West Midlands

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A man has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 13-and-a-half years for the religiously aggravated rape and assault of a Sikh woman in her home in Walsall.

John Ashby, 32, of no fixed address, was sentenced today (24 April 2026) at Birmingham Crown Court. He pleaded guilty on the second day of his trial, having previously denied the charges.

On 26 October 2025, Ashby was on the same bus as the victim, who was a stranger to him, after she finished work and travelled home. CCTV footage captured him following her off the bus and all the way to her address. 

A short time after arriving home, she went upstairs to change and then to the bathroom, which was unlocked as she believed she was alone in the house. She heard a noise and, thinking her flatmate had returned, rushed to lock the bathroom door.  Ashby forced his way in before she could do so.

He ordered her to remove her clothes, struck her with a stick, put his hands around her neck and strangled her, before demanding she climb into the bath and raping her.

During the attack, Ashby directed Islamophobic abuse at the victim, whom he believed to be Muslim, telling her she was dirty. He fled after being was disturbed by a noise outside.

Building the case

The Crown Prosecution Service worked closely with West Midlands Police to build a strong case based on multiple strands of evidence.

CCTV footage showed Ashby following the victim from the bus, surveying her property before gaining entry, picking up a stick, along with his fingerprints and DNA on a vape and a toothbrush left in the bathroom.

The victim provided a detailed video-recorded interview describing the full extent of the offences, including the religiously motivated abuse used throughout the attack. Three days later, she attended an identity parade and positively identified Ashby as her attacker, leading to his arrest the same day.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Rav Dhillon from the Crown Prosecution Service said:

"This was a deeply disturbing attack driven by religious hatred, carried out against an innocent woman in her own home – where she had every right to be and feel safe. 

"John Ashby targeted a complete stranger, subjected her to prolonged violence and religiously motivated abuse, and left her traumatised. The CPS worked closely with West Midlands Police to present a robust case based on CCTV footage, DNA evidence, and witness testimony. The fact Ashby initially denied these charges before changing his plea part-way through the trial reflects the strength of the evidence against him.

"We invited the court to treat the religious hostility shown throughout this offending as an aggravating feature. No one should be subjected to violence and hatred because of their background – perceived or otherwise. 

“Our thoughts remain with the victim, who showed remarkable courage, and we hope today’s sentencing brings her some measure of justice.”

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A teenager has spoken bravely of the ordeal she suffered, as the man who raped her was sentenced to a total of 24 years in prison.

Carl Houldey, from Tipton, was arrested after we were contacted by the girl alongside members of her family – when she reported that she had been attacked.

Specialist officers carried out extensive enquiries including a sensitive video recorded interview with the girl, interviews of Houldey, forensic analysis of clothing, and analysis of his phone.

He was subsequently charged with four counts of rape and a number of other sexual offences.

However, following a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, the 65-year-old was found guilty by a jury and was sentenced on Thursday 3 July to 24 years in prison, with a minimum of 16 years to be served before he is eligible for parole.

Houldey, of Shakespeare Road, was also put on the sex offenders register for life, given a sexual harm prevention order, and a restraining order against the girl he abused.

The girl has been supported by our officers throughout the court process, and as a survivor of sexual assault, has life-long anonymity by law.

In her victim personal statement, which she read from behind a screen in court, she said she wants people to be aware of what she went through: “Before this happened, I used to feel happy and safe. I liked going to school, playing with my friends, and spending time with my family.

“But after what he did, everything changed.

“At the beginning I felt upset and worried about what was going to happen next. I keep wondering if it was my fault, even though people tell me it wasn’t.

“I wish this had never happened to me. I just want to feel normal again.

“I am proud of myself that I told someone about it.

“I’m trying to be strong, even though I don’t feel strong. I have some good friends, and I am going to try and enjoy my life that is now different because of what you did to me.”

Investigating officer, DC Adrian Jackson, from our Public Protection Unit, said:

“Hearing that statement was incredibly powerful.

“By bravely speaking out and explaining what happened to her, a dangerous rapist has been put behind bars.

“She talks of moving forward with her life and that is something we all hope for, as well as knowing that by speaking out she has potentially protected others.

“The girl’s school safeguarding team must be commended for providing invaluable support to her during the investigation.

“For anyone reading this who has suffered abuse – support is available in a number of different places, and we are here for you.”

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A rapist from Worcester who duped a man into visiting his flat then raped him in 2009 has today (Monday 12 May) been sentenced to nine years at court.

Steven Ronan Wilson, 55, (pictured) previously known as Stephen Dorr, of Penncricket Lane, Rowley Regis, was handed the term at Worcester Crown Court, after he was previously found guilty of rape and sexual assault on 4 April.

Wilson’s victim had been on a night out in Worcester city centre in 2009 when he left his friends to go home and went to a taxi rank on The Cross to wait for a taxi.

There, he was approached by Stephen Wilson - who he did not know and had never seen before - and was asked whether he wanted to go back to his flat in Worcester to attend “a party where there are lot of girls.”

However, when the victim arrived at the flat there was no party and no girls. As he entered the flat, Wilson locked the door behind him.

Wilson put some pornography on the TV and told him to perform oral sex on him.

Believing he had no choice and fearing for his safety, he carried out the act for which Wilson was charged with rape. Wilson then sexually assaulted his victim.

Detective Constable Chris Hawkes, who led the investigation, said: “Wilson’s victim was incredibly scared during his time trapped in his flat and feared for his safety as he did not know Wilson, or what he was capable of.

“His awful ordeal lasted for three or four hours as it was light outside when Wilson eventually allowed him to leave the flat.”

The victim recognised Wilson – previously known as Stephen Dorr - after his picture appeared in the local press in 2011 in connection with a conviction for grooming offences involving boys in similar situations.

Today at court, Wilson received a nine-year custodial sentence for rape with a concurrent two-year custodial sentence for sexual assault. 

Wilson was also ordered to remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

DC Hawkes added: “We are pleased to get this court result for Wilson who subjected his victim to a degrading and humiliating ordeal back in 2009.

“The victim only came forward in 2021 having seen local press articles online about sexual offences committed by Wilson - formerly called Stephen Dorr - in 2011.

“We hope this shows that we will always take reports of sexual assault and rape seriously, no matter how long ago they occurred and always investigate them thoroughly.

“The victim in this case showed incredible bravery and strength to come forward about Wilson’s crimes, and we hope his conviction will go some way to help him move forward with his life.”