London, April 22 -- A 32-year-old man on trial at Birmingham Crown Court on charges of sexually assaulting a Sikh woman in Walsall pleaded guilty on Tuesday to religiously aggravated rape. John Ashby, a British man arrested last October days after the attack that sent shockwaves within the West Midlands community, had initially denied charges of sexual assault, strangulation, racially aggravated actual bodily harm and robbery. As the trial opened on Monday, the jury heard how he followed the woman home from the bus stop and broke into her house to attack her. According to court reports, he directed anti-Muslim rants at the Sikh woman during the attack. "We know the fear and concern this attack has caused in our communities," Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby of Walsall Police had said at the time. "Officers have visited faith establishments in Walsall and spoken with local leaders about women's safety and what measures men can take to make women feel more comfortable. We need to continue to maintain those conversations and how we build on women's safety in the community," he said. PTI...