The man also worked as a police officer when he sexually abused boys

A former scout leader who abused teenage boys across three decades has been jailed. Derek Feast, 81, denied multiple indecent assaults on four teenage boys when Hertfordshire Police traced and interviewed him in July 2024.

Feast denied having sexual conduct with three of the boys, and claimed he had been in a consensual sexual relationship with the other victim. One of the assaults took place at a Norfolk newsagents in 1991. Feast worked there aged 46, and sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy.

On Wednesday (April 22) at St Albans Crown Court, Feast, now of the Isle of Mull in Scotland, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted for multiple offences at the same court on February 17. These were: 17 counts of indecent assault and gross indecency on four victims. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

The court heard how he targeted three of his victims when he volunteered with the Scouts in Hertfordshire, where he also worked as a police officer during the 1970s and early 1980s. The fourth victim, in Norfolk, was sexually assaulted in July 1991. The boy reported the incident to police and Feast was arrested, but no further action was taken.

Another victim, who was aged 12 or 13 at the time, recalled being sexually assaulted on Scout trips, at Scout meetings and at Feast’s home address in Stevenage. A third victim, who was aged 14, was also sexually assaulted by Feast.

A final victim was sexually assaulted by Feast when he was 15, while on a trip and the abuse continued for several years. Detective Constable Beverley Thomson said: “Firstly, I would like to commend all four victims for their courage during the investigation and their incredible bravery in the face of a trial.

“Derek Feast denied any wrongdoing, but his evil acts have had lasting effects on his victims, but I do hope that seeing him sentenced will go some way in helping them to move on from his abhorrent crime.

“We know it can be incredibly challenging to come forward to report incidents of sexual assault. We take reports of sexual offences very seriously and we will do everything we can to ensure that victims feel like their voices are heard and that offenders are brought to justice.”

Detective Inspector Ben Smith added: “I would like to thank the team for their tireless work to bring Feast to justice. This case demonstrates that however long ago a crime was committed – even more than 40 years later – we will track you down and get justice for victims.

“The fact that he was a Scout leader and, shockingly, a police officer at the time, makes his offending even more despicable and I hope any victim feels confident that they can report offences however long ago they were committed, and we will take them seriously and work tirelessly to bring them justice.”

TransPennine Express confirmed that additional stops at Rochdale will be included on select services from York on Saturday (April 25) to account for York’s title-deciding match against Rochdale.

The all-important game kicks off tomorrow at 12.30pm at Rochdale’s Crown Oil Arena.

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The arena is a nine-minute drive from Rochdale Railway Station or a 40-minute walk.

Trains are set to run without disruption, with many including a change along the way.

But TransPennine Express routes, which will set off from York at 7.17am, 8.19am, 9.20am and 10.20am to Manchester Victoria, stopping off at Rochdale ahead of the match, will run direct.

Speaking about this, a spokesperson for TransPennine Express said: “We’re pleased to be able to add additional stops at Rochdale on selected services from York this Saturday, making it easier for customers to travel to the York City vs Rochdale match.

“These changes will provide more direct journey options and help reduce the need to change trains while engineering work is taking place over the weekend.”

For more information, please visit the link here.

Mohammed Afzal, known to his loved ones as Isa, died after a violent incident outside Power League on Market Street, Bury, on August 1 last year.

A trial at Manchester Crown Court in March found Abbas Hussain, 19, Mohammed Rayhan, also 19, and Biryan Ak, 20, all not guilty of murdering Mr Afzal.

But Hussain was convicted of manslaughter for his part in Mr Afzal’s death.

During the trial, the three men had argued that they were defending themselves from Mr Afzal after he and another man emerged from a car.

When interviewed by police after his arrest, Hussain did not comment but gave a prepared statement.

His statement said that Mr Afzal had launched a violent attack on him, but accepted he had stabbed the 19-year-old several times.

At the opening of the trial, Mr Hamilton said that Mr Afzal and his friends had followed a grey Corsa to the Power League complex to target their car.

Mr Hamilton said that on arriving at the Power League, Mr Afzal then got out of his car and approached it with a baseball bat in his hand and opened the door.

This then started the incident that ended with Mr Afzal being fatally stabbed with a blade described as a “Call of Duty” style knife.

Mr Ak, of Norman Grove, Longsight, was found not guilty of murder, while Mr Rayhan, of Chauncy Road, Failsworth, was acquitted of murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

Hussain, formerly of Bolton and of Windsor Crescent, Prestwich, was found not guilty of murder but convicted of manslaughter and of possession of a bladed article.

Hussain was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on Friday, April 24.

Mr Nasser Afzal, father of Mohammed Afzal, read a victim’s personal statement aloud to the court in which he described the day of August 1, 2025, as “a day that lives in the depths of my memory uninvited and impossible to escape.”

He said: “No parent should ever have to imagine outliving a child.”

The statement went on to say: “He had a whole future ahead of him with big goals, goals that were never just about himself but about lifting everyone he loved.

“That was who Isa was. Selfless, thoughtful, full of heart.

“That future has now been stolen. Dreams left unfulfilled. Goals that will now never be achieved. A life that will never be lived.”

Mr Afzal said that he buried himself in work “to escape the torment” of remembering his son and that it felt “wrong to smile”.

He went on to say his son had “a pure, generous heart” and “could not tolerate people feeling alone or bullied.”

Addressing the court, he said: “Nothing can undo what has been done, but I ask the court, from one father’s broken heart, to try to understand the lifelong impact this had had on our family.”

He said his family had been left “with a lifetime of grief” that they “will never recover from”.

A second victim personal statement was read aloud to the court by the prosecution from Mohammed Afzal’s cousin, Sana Baber.

The statement described him as “full of love and life” and said that “life feels unbearably unfair”.

It went on to say: “I wanted us to achieve our dreams together.”

It concluded: “If love alone could have saved you, I promise Isa, you would have lived forever.”

The court heard Mohammed Afzal was stabbed seven times within four seconds, one of these being in his back.

Sentencing Hussain, The Honourable Mr Justice Lavender said: “They (Mohammed Afzal’s family) have spoken movingly of the profound loss that you have caused.”

He went on to say: “You stabbed him not once but seven times, with two of the wounds inflicted being capable of killing him.”

He said Hussain disposed of his clothes, the knife, and his phone.

He told the court only a custodial sentence would be justified and sentenced Hussain to seven years in a young offender’s institution, with a 12-month concurrent sentence for possession of a bladed article.

When the sentence was read aloud in court, Mohammed Afzal’s family left the courtroom.

The guests for the afternoon were the Iain Anderson Trio from Langholm.

Biggar Accordion & Fiddle Club gathered for their last meeting of the season on Sunday, April 12.

The guests for the afternoon were the Iain Anderson Trio from Langholm, but firstly the audience enjoyed a wealth of local talent.

On accordions at Biggar Bowling Club were Mark Crawford, Keith Dickson, Hilda Fulton, Adam Gibb, Jim Gold, Sam Gray, David Kennedy Tom Kilean, Fiona Paul, Charlie Todd and James Watson.

Playing piano were Emma Dickson, Keith Dickson, Iona Gold, Jim Gold, Grace Kane and Fiona Paul, while on drums there was Andrew Barrie, Andrew Gibb, David Kennedy, Alex Lyall and Charlie Todd.

The club were also treated to a couple of selections from ten members of the Edinburgh-based Scots Music Group’s Piano Accordion classes: Katie Burns, Sheena Dickson, Maya Forrester, Billy Higgins, Nevil Hopely, Mary Hourigan, Douglas Seath, Hamish Scott, John West and Maggie Wright.

And the guest trio for the afternoon consisted of Iain Anderson from Langholm on lead accordion, Neil MacMillan from Rowardennan on piano and Eric Goodfellow on drums.

The trio entertained with a variety of tempos, many great tunes and quite a bit of light-hearted humour along the way. It was an afternoon thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.

With the season at an end chairman Jim Gold thanked Andrew Barrie and the Biggar Bowling Club for hosting everyone, the ladies for the half-time buffet, the raffle prize donors, the local players for supporting the club and the Iain Anderson Trio for their entertaining programme.

The club resumes on Sunday, November 8.

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The new routes will connect passengers to Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, Krakow in Poland, and Reykjavik in Iceland this winter.

Flights to Fuerteventura will begin on October 25, 2026, and will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays.

Services to Krakow will start the day after, on October 26, 2026, with flights departing on Mondays and Fridays.

Connections to Reykjavik will launch the day after that, on October 27, 2026, and will run on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Kevin Doyle, Easyjet’s UK manager, said: “Following the opening of our new base at Newcastle, we’re delighted to be adding three more routes, and several package holiday options, for our customers in the North East.

“These new services to Fuerteventura, Krakow, and Reykjavik provide even greater choice, whether customers are looking for winter sun, a city break, or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

“Newcastle is a key part of our UK growth, and we’re proud to continue investing in connectivity from the region with great value fares and convenient flight options.”

The Easyjet base at Newcastle only reopened in March.

Fares for the new route start from £25.99.

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Leon McQuaid from Newcastle Airport, said: “We’re delighted to see further investment at Newcastle Airport with Easyjet’s new winter routes to Fuerteventura, Krakow, and Reykjavik following the opening of their new base.

“These additional services further enhance our growing winter schedule and provide passengers with even more great value flight-only and package holiday options.

“This expansion reflects the strong demand for connectivity from the North East to key European destinations and we look forward to celebrating the launch of Easyjet’s new routes.”

Food lovers are invited to vote for their favourite among the finalists

We are fortunate in Cambridgeshire to have so many incredible options for eating out. Naturally, many of us tend to have our go-to spots, traditions, and those eateries that you dine in only for special occasions.

In what was likely a tricky decision, lifestyle site Muddy Stilettos have created a shortlist for the ‘Best Casual Dining’ award. The shortlist of 10 of the best casual dining spots in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk contains four great spots from our county.

The categories for the awards range from best afternoon tea to best beauty salon, highlighting the diversity of businesses scattered across Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Food lovers are invited to vote for their favourite among the finalists, before the votes close on May 26 at 1pm. The winners will be announced on June 16.

Take a look at Cambridgeshire’s finalists.

Aromi Cafe in Cambridge

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Inspired by Italy, in 2013, four founding family members brought Sicilian spirit to life in Cambridge and opened Aromi. Nowadays, the brilliant brand has three locations across central Cambridge including on Bene’t Street and Fitzroy Street.

The restaurant takes its Italian cuisine very seriously and promises to bring “big flavours, proper family recipes, and everything made fresh”. Aromi offers a variety of different pizzas, arancini, and more.

Bohemia in St Neots

Bohemia offers a variety of breakfast, brunch, and lunch dishes consisting of modern healthy options as well as what they describe as the “finest ground coffee” roasted in their own micro roastery. Reviews have described the establishment as having “one of the best full English breakfasts” with “friendly, happy and attentive” service.

Giovanni’s Pizzeria in Cambridge

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Led by owner and head chef Giovanni, this restaurant prides itself on using traditional methods and the finest ingredients to bring “the real flavour of Italy” with a particular focus on Sardinia.

Giovanni’s sells a variety of pizzas, baked dishes including lasagne and a long list of coffees. To fulfil those sweet cravings, the menu also offers a range of different desserts including cakes, brownies and waffles.

The Yard in Ely

The Yard is located in the heart of Ely and was born from a simple idea: that “the city deserved something bold”. The kitchen boasts having seasonal, locally-sourced food alongside having knowledgeable bar staff serving up some classic cocktails.

The venue is known for hosting events including tastings, DJ nights, comedy and quizzes. The Yard has several different menus on offer including pizza, lunch and dinner, Sunday roasts and breakfast menus, with each being reasonably priced.

Graeme Reid, 45, from Uddingston, director of the Monklands Replacement Project (MRP), will take to the capital’s streets on April 26.

The director leading the delivery of NHS Lanarkshire’s new hospital is taking on the London Marathon to raise funds for cancer support charity Maggie’s Lanarkshire.

Graeme Reid, 45, from Uddingston, director of the Monklands Replacement Project (MRP), will take to the capital’s streets on April 26.

He will be fundraising for Maggie’s Lanarkshire, which is currently based at the University Hospital Monklands site and will move to the new hospital campus at Wester Moffat, Airdrie.

Maggie’s Lanarkshire is a strategic partner in the development of the new hospital campus, with plans underway to deliver a new Maggie’s centre alongside the future hospital. Maggie’s centres provide free practical, emotional and psychological support to people affected by cancer and their families, offering a calm, welcoming, non-clinical environment at what is often one of the most difficult times in their lives.

Speaking about his marathon challenge, Graeme said: “I can’t think of a more appropriate charity for my marathon fundraising. Maggie’s is one of our strategic partners and we’re working together to deliver a new Maggie’s Lanarkshire on the future hospital site.

“Maggie’s has centres across the UK providing vital support to individuals and families affected by cancer. The environment they create allows people to access expert advice, reassurance and support when they need it most.

“This challenge also gives me the opportunity to directly support the Monklands Replacement Project’s wider commitment to community benefits and to the communities our new hospital will serve. Marathon training has definitely been a challenge, with plenty of early mornings, long weekend runs and a few moments questioning my life choices — but knowing it’s all in support of Maggie’s has kept me going.

“The money I’m raising will go towards supporting the ongoing running of the existing Maggie’s Lanarkshire centre, helping ensure these vital services continue to be available to people who need them now.”

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Lorrie Cameron, centre head at Maggie’s Lanarkshire, praised Graeme’s efforts, saying: “We are incredibly grateful to Graeme for taking on the London Marathon in support of Maggie’s Lanarkshire. His fundraising highlights the strong partnership we have with the Monklands Replacement Project and our shared commitment to supporting people affected by cancer across Lanarkshire.

“Every pound raised helps us to continue offering expert support to people and families at some of the most challenging moments of their lives, both now and as we look ahead to our future centre alongside the new hospital.”

Graeme has already received strong backing from colleagues across the MRP team, including NHS Lanarkshire staff and external partners, who boosted his fundraising through a quiz night.

He has already raised more than £8000 through his fundraising page, with time still to support him as he prepares to run his first marathon this weekend: https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/graeme-reid

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The warnings come after multiple products sold nationwide were recalled over potential health risks.

The Food Standards Agency has issued several “do not eat” notices affecting items stocked across major supermarkets. Among the recalls are certain batches of porridge flagged due to possible contamination. Customers who may have purchased affected products are being advised not to consume them.

Officials say anyone who has bought the products should follow recall guidance, which may include returning items for a refund or disposing of them safely.

Food Recalls Explained

Marks & Spencer recall

Marks & Spencer has issued an urgent recall for a popular yoghurt product over an undeclared allergen risk.

The recall affects its Authentic Greek Yoghurt with Vanilla, after it was found the product may contain gluten which is not listed on the label.

Product: Authentic Greek Yoghurt with Vanilla

Pack size: 500g

Use by: 12 May 2026

According to the Food Standards Agency, the yoghurt may contain gluten, making it a potential health risk for anyone with:

• A gluten allergy
• Gluten intolerance
• Coeliac disease

Because gluten is not declared on the packaging, it poses a serious risk to affected consumers.

Customers who have bought the product and have a gluten allergy or intolerance are being told not to eat it.

Instead, they should return it to their nearest Marks & Spencer store for a full refund.

Saturday 18 April: @marksandspencer is recalling Authentic Greek Yoghurt with Vanilla because of undeclared gluten #FoodAllergy https://t.co/54upEpx7zJ pic.twitter.com/fM8VFRmhDM

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) April 18, 2026

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Aldi recall

Aldi shoppers have been issued with a “do not eat” warning after a product recall was issued by the supermarket.

Aldi has recalled The Fishmonger Hot Smoked 2 Salmon Fillets – Honey Roasted because of a packaging error.

The fish has been labelled with an incorrect use by date, meaning it is unsafe to eat two months earlier than customers would assume.

The recall affects products with a use by date of June 25, because they should have a use by date of April 25.

Tuesday 14 April 2026 – ALDI recalls The Fishmonger Hot Smoked 2 Salmon Fillets – Honey Roasted because of incorrect use-by date. #FoodAlert https://t.co/if8JolSCTO pic.twitter.com/4vjojg9XJC

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) April 14, 2026

An Aldi spokesman said: “As a precautionary measure, our supplier is recalling the fish because the incorrect use by date is printed on the pack.

“Customers are asked to return this product to their nearest store, where a full refund will be given.

“We apologise that this product did not meet our normal high standards and thank you for your co-operation.

“For further information, please visit help.aldo.co.uk . Customer services can be contacted on 0800 042 0800.”

A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) added: “ALDI is recalling the above product. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling the product.

“These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

“If you have bought the above product, please do not consume it. Instead, return it to the store from where it was purchased for a full refund.”

Tesco recall

Tesco has recalled a Tesco Finest dessert product because it may contain pieces of plastic.

The supermarket giant, along with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), has issued a “do not eat” warning to shoppers who have purchased the dessert.

The recall affects the Tesco Finest Summer Edition Chocolate Affogato Dessert.

It includes all date codes up to and including April 2027.

Thursday 9 April @Tesco recalls Tesco Finest Summer Edition Chocolate Affogato Dessert because it may contain pieces of plastic #FoodAlert https://t.co/3Prij9koBf pic.twitter.com/vrp5mn3h83

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) April 9, 2026

An FSA spokesman said: “Tesco is recalling Tesco Finest Summer Edition Chocolate Affogato Dessert because it may contain pieces of plastic.

“This product may contain pieces of plastic which makes the product unsafe to eat.

“Tesco is recalling the above product and has issued a recall notice to alert customers. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

“If you have bought the above product do not eat it.”

A Tesco spokesman added: “If you have purchased the affected product, please do not eat it and instead return it to any Tesco store for a full refund. No receipt is required.

“For further enquiries, please visit the contact page of our website where you will find a variety of ways to get in touch: tesco.com/help/contact.

“No other Tesco products are affected by this recall.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

Porridge recall

Nine porridge products sold at major supermarkets, including Tesco, Morrisons, and Sainsbury’s, are being recalled due to “mouse contamination”.

MOMA Foods is recalling various porridge pots and sachet products because of possible mouse contamination at the manufacturing site, making them “unsafe to eat”.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned consumers “do not eat” the affected products and instead return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.

Sunday 22 March 2026. MOMA Foods is recalling various porridge pots and sachet products because of possible mouse contamination #FoodAlert https://t.co/ZcBEqAqWP1 pic.twitter.com/1FrDYUyX61

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) March 22, 2026

The nine MOMA Foods porridge products included in the recall, according to its website and the FSA, are:

• MOMA Almond Butter & Salted Caramel Porridge Pot 55g (1pk, 8pk and 12pk) – M5296, M5297, M5303, M5304, M5315, M5339, M5342 (batch codes)
• MOMA Apple, Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Porridge Pot 65g (1pk and 8pk) – M5261, M5328, M5329, M6026, M6027
• MOMA Banana & Peanut Butter Protein Porridge Pot 65g (1pk and 8pk) – M5248, M5251, M5304, M5307
• MOMA Blueberry & Vanilla Porridge Pot 65g (1pk and 8pk) – M5283, M5284, M5285, M5335, M5336, M6027, M6028
• MOMA Cranberry & Raisin Porridge Pot 70g (1pk, 8pk and 12pk) – M5293, M5294, M5295, M5321, M5322, M5329, M5330, M5331
• MOMA Golden Syrup Porridge Pot 70g (1pk, 8pk and 12pk) – M5241, M5244, M5245, M5261, M5293, M5311, M5314, M5346, M5349
• MOMA Plain No-Added Sugar Porridge Pot 65g (1pk and 12pk) – M5279, M5280, M5281, M5308, M5309, M5310, M5311, M5345,
• MOMA Almond Butter & Salted Caramel Porridge Sachets 7x40g (1pk and 5pk) – M5289, M5290
• MOMA Apple, Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Porridge Sachets 6x40g (1pk and 5pk) – M5293, M5294, M5295

MOMA Foods added: “Even though the chance of contamination of any of the above products being affected is low, we have taken this precautionary step to ensure the safety of our consumers.”

The company confirmed that no other products are affected.

Walkers crisp recall

(Image: PepsiCo/Mark Mackenzie)

A packet of crisps sold at UK supermarkets has been recalled by Walkers and shoppers are being warned “do not eat” the affected item.

Walkers is recalling its six-pack of Hot Honey crisps, which can be purchased from Tesco, Ocado and more retailers, because they could contain a Mild Cheese & Onion seasoning which contains milk and is not correctly labelled.

The company said: “Although this product includes precautionary allergen labelling for milk, milk is not included in the ingredients list and therefore the product poses a risk to people with an allergy to milk.”

The affected batch is the six-pack of 25g bags with a best before date of May 16, 2026 and the batch code GBB 584 031.

Hot Honey Walkers! 🔥🍯 At B&M @walkers_crisps #walkerscrisps #hothoney #crisps #wellthisisnew pic.twitter.com/T16lnbpDJU

— Well This Is New (@All_Things_New_) February 8, 2026

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The Food Standards Agency  (FSA) has warned the product may contain milk, which makes it a “possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to milk or intolerance to milk or milk constituents.”

It added: “If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to milk do not eat it.

“Instead, please call the Consumer Care Line on 0800 274 777 or visit contact.pepsico.com/walkers to receive a full refund.”

Walkers confirmed that “no other Batch Codes on this Best Before Code are affected”.

A PepsiCo spokesperson said: “We are recalling a specific batch of Walkers Hot Honey 6 x 25g multipacks from specific UK retailers and wholesalers.

“Some of the packets may contain Mild Cheese & Onion seasoning rather than Hot Honey, meaning the product is incorrectly labelled and may pose a risk to people with an allergy to milk.

“This applies only to product with the impacted batch code.

“No other Walkers or PepsiCo products are in scope for this recall.

“The quality and safety of our products is of paramount importance to us and we sincerely apologise for the error.

“We are working with the Food Standards Agency, impacted retailers and allergen groups to inform consumers.”

What is a product recall?

If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).

The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.

In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued.

This provides local authorities with details of specific actions to be taken on behalf of consumers.

John Ashby, 32, has been jailed for life for the religiously aggravated rape and abuse of a Sikh woman

An “Islamophobe” who poses an “extreme danger to women” has been jailed for life for the religiously aggravated rape and abuse of a Sikh woman.

John Ashby, 32, followed the victim off a bus and forced his way into her home with a stick in Walsall, the West Midlands, in October. He subjected the woman to a stream of Islamophobic abuse during the “deeply disturbing attack”, wrongly believing she was Muslim, the court heard.

Sentencing him at Birmingham Crown Court to a minimum term of 14 years in prison on Friday, Mr Justice Pepperall described Ashby as a “deeply unpleasant racist and Islamophobe”. “You post an extreme danger to women and no reliable way to say how long you remain a danger,” the judge said.

Ashby pleaded guilty to the attack on the second day of his trial at the same court on Tuesday. Prosecutor Phil Bradley KC told jurors: “Despite her screams, he told her to take her clothes off, he struck her with the stick, and he put his hands around her neck to strangle her and demanded that she climb into the bathtub. Throughout the attack he racially and religiously abused her.”

Body-worn police footage showing the victim after the attack was played to jurors during the trial. The woman was comforted by a female officer as she described how her attacker had called her a “bloody Muslim b****” and had raped her inside a bathroom, armed with a piece of wood. Witnesses described the woman as screaming in distress following the attack.

In a video interview played to the court, the woman told police: “He had a stick in his hand. I said ‘who are you’ and I started screaming. He switched off the light. He said ‘I just want fun with you’. He said ‘you are a f****** Muslim bitch, I said I am not a Muslim, I am a Sikh.”

The prosecution said the attack only came to an end because Ashby was “evidently spooked by a noise outside” and ran away, taking the victim’s jewellery and a mobile phone.

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Victims says she struggles to recognise herself after attack

In a victim impact statement read to court, the woman said she “felt violated” within her own home and that experienced panic attacks following the attack, having to take antidepressants and sleeping medication “to cope with everyday life”.

She said: “Before life was great, I was happy and doing well in my job. I was enjoying life. I had plans for the future.” She added that she and her partner were due to marry in January.

“My life has drastically changed. I feel lost, I struggle to recognise myself. I’m still hyper-aware of every noise I’m hearing… everything makes me jump, I’m constantly on edge,” the statement said, with the victim appearing visibly upset as it was read.

The court heard a victim impact statement from the woman’s partner, which told how he has also suffered from anxiety attacks as a result of the attack. “Seeing her struggle to cope has been unbearable at times,” he said.

Man got up and swore at Ashby as distressing video interview was played to court

As the video interview in which the woman described the attack to police was played to jurors on Tuesday, a man left the public gallery and approached the glass-fronted dock and swore at Ashby, telling him: “You need to sort your s**t out.” Ashby responded by telling the man to “get the f*** out of my face” and also shouted at another member of the public who remained seated in the public gallery.

Rav Dhillon, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said on Tuesday that it was a “deeply disturbing attack driven by religious hatred” and carried out “against an innocent woman in her own home, where she would expect to feel safest”.

“The CPS worked closely together with West Midlands Police to build a robust case which included CCTV footage, DNA evidence and witness testimony, and the strength of that evidence left the defendant no choice but to plead guilty.”

Ashby has 10 previous convictions, including two for violence, one for possession of an offensive weapon and seven for property offences.