Thirteen men charged with conspiring to drug and rape a woman can now be identified after reporting restrictions were lifted at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. The defendants are co-accused with the victim's husband, a man in his 60s from Stockport, who has admitted to multiple sexual offences against his wife but denies conspiring with others to drug and rape her.
Husband's Pleas and Allegations
The husband, who cannot be named to protect his wife's anonymity, initially denied all 48 counts but changed his pleas on Monday. He admitted to five counts of rape, six counts of assault by penetration, three counts of sexual assault (all between 2022 and 2025), and sharing intimate images of his wife without consent for sexual gratification. However, he continues to deny 11 counts of rape, two of attempted rape, seven of assault by penetration, four of sexual assault, four of conspiracy to rape, three of conspiracy to assault by penetration, one of conspiracy to administer a substance with intent, and one of administering a substance with intent. The alleged offences against his wife span from 2004 to 2025, with the conspiracy charges covering 2018 to 2025.
Co-Defendants Named
The 13 co-defendants, whose identities were previously protected, can now be reported. Among them, Keith Fotheringham, 59, from Dundee, Scotland, has already pleaded guilty to assault by penetration, conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration, and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent to stupefy or overpower. He entered these pleas in February and will be sentenced at a later date.
David Graves, 59, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire; Daniel Rayner, 42, from Whitstable, Kent; and Karl Lindsay, 55, from Taunton, Somerset, will stand trial on September 1. All three deny charges of conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration, and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.
Graham Brougham, 73, from Northwich, Cheshire, has pleaded not guilty to rape, conspiracy to rape, and conspiracy to assault by penetration. Philip Wild, 58, from Stockport, denies attempted rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, conspiracy to rape, and conspiracy to assault by penetration.
Mohammed Sabir, 28, from Stockport, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, conspiracy to rape, and conspiracy to assault by penetration. Jonathan Kirk, 43, from Stockport, denies rape, conspiracy to rape, and conspiracy to assault by penetration.
Sean Peers, 37, from Stockport, has entered not guilty pleas to assault by penetration and conspiracy to assault by penetration. Jordan Wallace, 31, from Wythenshawe, Manchester, denies charges of rape, attempted rape, and conspiracy to rape.
Alan Keelan, 42, from Wythenshawe, and Robert Stewart, 70, from Stockport, both deny two counts of rape and conspiracy to rape. Richard Townsend, 37, from Heywood, Greater Manchester, denies assault by penetration and conspiracy to assault by penetration.
Trial and Next Hearing
A 12-week trial is scheduled to begin on September 1 at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. A preliminary hearing will take place on August 24, one week before the trial. The court has lifted reporting restrictions to allow full identification of the co-defendants, though the victim's anonymity remains protected by law.
