Stockport Man Admits Two Decades of Drugging and Raping His Wife as Jury Told He Has Now Given Statement

A man in his sixties from the Stockport area of Greater Manchester, who has confessed to drugging and raping his wife over a period spanning more than 20 years, has provided a witness statement about "what he says happened," a jury has been told. The development marks the latest twist in a case that has already been described as deeply disturbing, with the husband having admitted to a catalogue of serious sexual offences against a woman who remained unaware of the abuse for much of its duration.

The defendant, who cannot be identified in order to protect his wife's right to anonymity, had also faced allegations that he invited 13 other men to abuse her between 2018 and November 2025. The court heard that he initially denied all charges but changed his plea last month, admitting to 60 offences. Those offences include rape and administering a substance with intent — a charge that reflects the calculated nature of the abuse, in which the victim was rendered insensible before being attacked.

The trial is taking place at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, where a jury was sworn in in early September. Since then, proceedings have been delayed for what the court described as legal and practical reasons. On the latest sitting, the nine women and three men of the jury, along with two female reserve jurors, were invited back into court and given an update by Judge Maurice Greene.

Judge Greene explained that the husband, who is no longer a defendant in the trial, had now made a statement about his version of events. "What's been happening is that the husband has now made a statement about what he says happened," the judge told the jury. He added that the statement is a long one and has been disclosed to all defence counsel, noting that it "contains a lot of detail."

The judge further advised jurors that the statement comprised "lots of pages and lots of documents," and that lawyers involved in the case were "going through it carefully." That process, he indicated, is ongoing work. The jury was asked to return on Monday 19 October, when the prosecution case against the remaining 12 defendants is due to open.

One co-defendant has already pleaded guilty to several offences. Keith Fotheringham, 59, from Dundee in Scotland, admitted his part in the alleged abuse. His plea means that the focus of the upcoming trial will centre on the other men accused of participating in the systematic violation of the victim over a period of years.

The remaining defendants face trial on charges connected to the same alleged campaign of abuse. They are: Philip Wild, 58, from Stockport; Sean Peers, 38, from Stockport; Jordan Wallace, 31, from Manchester; Alan Keelan, 42, from Manchester; Jonathan Kirk, 43, from Stockport; Robert Stewart, 70, from Stockport; Mohammed Sabir, 28, of no fixed abode; Graham Brougham, 74, from Northwich in Cheshire; Richard Townsend, 37, from Rochdale; Karl Lindsay, 55, from Taunton in Somerset; Daniel Rayner, 42, from Whitstable in Kent; and David Graves, 59, from Ilkeston in Derbyshire.

The case has raised profound questions about the nature of coercive control and the ability of abusers to conceal their crimes within intimate relationships. Because the abuse allegedly occurred while the victim was drugged and unconscious, she had no knowledge of what was happening to her for an extended period. That detail underscores the particular cruelty of the offending and the difficulties victims face in detecting and reporting such crimes, which are often committed in domestic settings where the perpetrator has almost total control.

The fact that multiple other men are alleged to have been involved adds a further dimension of criminality, suggesting a network of individuals willing to participate in the abuse of a woman who was incapable of consenting. The legal proceedings will need to examine the extent of each defendant's knowledge and involvement, and whether they understood that the victim had not agreed to any sexual activity.

For the jury, the task ahead is complex. They will be asked to weigh the evidence against each remaining defendant while also considering the husband's lengthy statement, which may be used by the prosecution or defence in different ways. The judge's careful handling of the disclosure process reflects the need to ensure a fair trial for all parties, despite the volume of material involved.

The case has also highlighted the importance of anonymity protections for victims of sexual offences. The wife's identity remains shielded by law, allowing her a measure of privacy as she navigates a legal process that would otherwise expose her to further trauma. The fact that her husband has admitted such a long-running campaign of abuse has already led to widespread coverage, and the trial of the other men is likely to attract continued public attention.

As the proceedings move toward the prosecution's opening on 19 October, the court will begin to hear the full case against the 12 men who deny the charges. The husband's statement, described as detailed and lengthy, may play a significant role in establishing the context of the alleged abuse. For now, the jury has been asked to remain patient while lawyers complete their review of the material.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the hidden nature of sexual violence within families and the courage required for victims to come forward. It also demonstrates the determination of the criminal justice system to pursue multiple alleged offenders, even when the principal abuser has already admitted guilt. As the trial unfolds, the focus will remain on securing justice for a woman who was subjected to years of abuse without her knowledge or consent.