Thirteen men named in husband’s alleged plot to drug and rape unconscious wife

The names of the 13 men accused, along with the husband accused of drugging and raping his unconscious wife, have been announced.

Reporting restrictions on identifying men across the UK have been lifted ahead of a trial in Manchester later this year.

The husband, who is in his sixties and from the Stockport area of ​​Greater Manchester, is accused of drugging and sexually abusing his wife over 20 years and conspiring with other men to commit sexual assaults. His wife cannot be named to protect her privacy.

He admitted five rapes and a series of sexual assaults on his wife, as well as sharing intimate photos or films without her consent.

But he has denied 33 other charges, including 11 rapes, and is expected to stand trial for the alleged crimes between 2004 and 2025.

A co-defendant, Keith Fotheringham, 59, of Dundee, Scotland, admitted assault by penetration, conspiracy to commit rape, conspiracy to commit assault by penetration and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent to stun or incapacitate. Fotheringham entered his plea in February and will be sentenced at a later date.

Also due to stand trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on September 1 are David Graves, 59, of Ilkeston, Derbyshire; Daniel Rayner (42) from Whitstable, Kent, and Karl Lindsay (55) from Taunton, Somerset.

They all deny conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration and conspiracy to knowingly administer a substance.

Graham Brougham, 73, of Northwich, Cheshire, pleaded not guilty to rape, conspiracy to commit rape and conspiracy to commit assault by influence.

Philip Wild, 58, of Stockport, Greater Manchester, pleaded not guilty to attempted rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, conspiracy to commit rape and conspiracy to commit assault by penetration.

Mohammed Sabir, 28, of Stockport, denies three counts of rape, conspiracy to rape and conspiracy to assault by penetration.

Jonathan Kirk, 43, of Stockport, denies rape, conspiracy to commit rape and conspiracy to commit assault by penetration.

Sean Peers, 37, of Stockport, pleaded not guilty to assault by influence and conspiracy to assault by influence.

Jordan Wallace, 31, of Wythenshawe, Manchester, pleaded not guilty to rape, attempted rape and conspiracy to rape.

Alan Keelan, 42, of Wythenshawe, and Robert Stewart, 70, of Stockport, deny two allegations of rape and conspiracy to rape.

Richard Townsend, 37, of Heywood, Greater Manchester, denies assault by influence and conspiracy to commit assault by influence.

On Monday, the husband changed part of his defense after previously denying all 48 charges against him in the indictment against his wife.

He pleaded guilty to five counts of rape, six counts of assault by penetration and three counts of sexual assault on various dates between 2022 and 2025.

He also admitted to sharing intimate photographs or film of his wife without her consent for sexual gratification.

He pleads guilty to 11 counts of rape, two attempted rape, seven counts of assault by penetration, four counts of sexual assault, four counts of conspiracy to rape, three counts of conspiracy to assault by penetration, one count of conspiracy to administer a substance with intent and one count of refusal to administer a substance with intent.

A further preliminary hearing will be held at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on August 24, a week before the scheduled 12-week trial.