Man in court over rape and assault of Sikh woman

A woman, aged in her 20s, was attacked in the Park Hall area of Walsall on Saturday night

A man has appeared in court charged with rape, attempted strangulation and religiously or racially aggravated assault of a Sikh woman.

John Peter Ashby, 32 and of no fixed abode, is also accused of the robbery of jewellery and a mobile phone. He did not enter a plea.

The offences are alleged to have taken place in the Park Hall area of Walsall, West Midlands, on Saturday evening.

Ashby was remanded in custody by District Judge David Wain KC at Birmingham Magistrates' Court, and will appear at the city's crown court on 26th November.

The hearing took place in a packed court room with about 40 members of the Sikh community spilling out of the public gallery into seats normally reserved for reporters.

One person said they had come to show their support and solidarity to the victim.

Ashby was sworn at by a member of the public observing the proceedings and the defendant appeared to punch the glass separating the dock and the public gallery as he returned down the cells.

District Judge Wain asked the man who swore to apologise, adding: "I understand feelings are running high but that is unacceptable" and reminded those shouting that they could be seen as being in contempt of court.