A 32-year-old man has been charged with rape following an alleged racially aggravated attack on a woman in Walsall, West Midlands police have said.
John Ashby, from Stockland Green, Birmingham, was also charged with sexual assault, strangulation, racially aggravated actual bodily harm, and robbery. The charges relate to an attack on a woman in her 20s in the Park Hall area of Walsall on Saturday evening.
Ashby was arrested just before 7am on Monday in the Perry Barr area of Birmingham. He has been remanded to appear before Birmingham magistrates court.
Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby of Walsall police said officers are engaging with the community to address concerns. “We know the fear and concern this attack has caused in our communities. We continue to speak to people in the community to listen to and understand their concerns,” he said.
Detective Superintendent Ronan Tyrer from the force’s public protection unit confirmed the victim has been informed of the charging decision and is being supported by specially trained officers.
