Husband admits drugging wife to rape and sexually abuse her over 20 years

A man has admitted drugging his wife to rape and sexually abuse her over more than two decades. 

The man, who is in his 60s and from the Stockport area, has pleaded guilty to a total of 60 charges between 2004 and his arrest in October last year at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

Sky News, along with other media organisations, is not naming the man so the victim can maintain her right to automatic anonymity.

She sat in the public gallery holding hands with, and being comforted by, family members as her husband entered guilty pleas over 18 minutes.

At one point she wiped her eyes, while her husband, wearing a dark grey suit, blue shirt and dark tie, wept as he stood in the dock with his hands clasped in front of him.

Judge Maurice Greene told him he could sit as he broke down in tears while entering his guilty pleas.

A dozen other men, aged between 28 and 74, who are also accused of sexual offences relating to the same woman, deny all of the charges against them.

The husband previously admitted charges, including rape, sexual assault, assault by penetration and a charge of sharing intimate images over a three-year period between March 2022 and October last year, but denied a string of other offences.

He has now admitted a total of 60 charges, including rape, sexual assault, attempted rape, and assault by penetration.

One of the charges states he intentionally administered a substance to his wife "with the intention of stupefying or overpowering" her "so as to enable a person to engage in sexual activity" between 12 November 2004 and 25 October 2025.

The offending was carried out at the family home in the Stockport area of Greater Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson said: "Our focus remains on supporting the victim of this horrific campaign of abuse through what is a very complex investigation.

"Specialist support continues to be provided to the victim at the centre of this case.

"If you are concerned you or someone you know may be affected by drug-facilitated sexual abuse, please know that you do not need proof, certainty, or a clear memory to be taken seriously.

"You are not expected to understand exactly what has happened or who was involved in order to be taken seriously. If you feel that something has happened, then please report it or ask for help."

The 12 other men, who deny all of the charges against them, are:

• Karl Lindsay, 56, the former chief executive of Taunton Town FC.

• Daniel Rayner, 42, from Whitstable, Kent.

• David Graves, 59, from Derbyshire.

• Jonathan Kirk, 43, a senior paramedic from the Stockport area.

• Graham Brougham, 74, from Northwich, Cheshire.

• Philip Wild, 58, who used to own a taxi service and is from the Stockport area.

• Mohammed Sabir, 28, a recruitment consultant from the Stockport area.

• Sean Peers, 38, from the Stockport area.

• Jordan Wallace, 31, from Manchester.

• Alan Keelan, 42, who used to coach an under-16s football team and is from Greater Manchester.

• Richard Townsend, 37, from Greater Manchester.

• Robert Stewart, 70, from the Stockport area, who denies conspiracy to rape and two counts of rape.

A jury has already been sworn in to try the case, which was originally due to last up to 15 weeks.

(c) Sky News 2026: Husband admits drugging wife to rape and sexually abuse her over 20 years