The 13 men accused of sexual offences after a husband allegedly drugged and raped his wife over a number of years can be named for the first time. The husband, a man in his 60s from Stockport, has previously denied 48 charges, including 16 counts of rape, relating to a 20-year period.
At a hearing earlier this week, the husband entered guilty pleas to 15 of the 48 charges. He admitted five counts of rape; three counts of sexual assault; six counts of assault by penetration and one count of sharing intimate photos or film. He denies drugging his wife.
The Manchester Evening News and other media organisations are not naming the man in order to protect the anonymity of his alleged victim. The law entitles the alleged victim to anonymity for life.
13 Men Named for the First Time
One of the defendants, Keith Fotheringham, has admitted all the charges he faces. He previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to rape; one count of conspiracy to commit assault by penetration; one count of conspiracy to administer a substance with intent; and one count of assault by penetration.
The other 12 defendants have denied all the charges against them. They are Karl Lindsay, Daniel Rayner, Graham Brougham, Philip Wild, Mohammed Sabir, Jonathan Kirk, Sean Peers, Jordan Wallace, Alan Keelan, Richard Townsend, Robert Stewart and David Graves. They are set to go on trial at Minshull Street Crown Court in September.
Details of the Charges
All charges relate to the same single complainant. A trial has been scheduled for September.
Full list of charges in the case:
- The husband is charged with 16 counts of rape; 13 counts of assault by penetration; seven counts of sexual assault; four counts of conspiracy to rape; three counts of conspiracy to commit assault by penetration; two counts of attempted rape; one count of conspiracy to administer a noxious substance; one count of administering a noxious substance; and one count of sharing intimate photographs or video without consent. He has pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, six counts of assault by penetration and one count of sharing intimate photos or film. He denies all the remaining counts.
- Keith Fotheringham, 59, of Cleghorn Street, Dundee, is charged with one count of conspiracy to rape; one count of conspiracy to commit assault by penetration; one count of conspiracy to administer a substance with intent; and one count of assault by penetration. He has pleaded guilty to all charges.
- Karl Lindsay, 55, of Wordsworth Drive, Taunton, is charged with one count of conspiracy to rape; one count of conspiracy to commit assault by penetration and one count of conspiracy to administer a substance with intent. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- Daniel Rayner, 41, of Sherwood Drive, Whitstable, is charged with one count of conspiracy to rape; one count of conspiracy to commit assault by penetration and one count of conspiracy to administer a substance with intent. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- Graham Brougham, 73, of Birtwistle Road, Rudheath, Northwich, is charged with one count of conspiracy to rape; one count of conspiracy to commit assault by penetration and one count of rape. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- Philip Wild, 58, of St Davids Road, Cheadle, is charged with one count of conspiracy to rape; one count of conspiracy to commit assault by penetration; one count of sexual assault; one count of attempted rape and one count of assault by penetration. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- Mohammed Sabir, 28, of no fixed address, is charged with one count of conspiracy to rape; one count of conspiracy to commit assault by penetration and three counts of rape. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- Jonathan Kirk, 43, of Telford Close, Macclesfield, is charged with one count of conspiracy to rape; one count of conspiracy to commit assault by penetration and one count of rape. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- Sean Peers, 37, of Sandwich Road, Eccles, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit assault by penetration and one count of assault by penetration. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
- Jordan Wallace, 31, of Hindsford Close, Wythenshawe, is charged with one count of conspiracy to rape, one count of rape and one count of attempted rape. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- Alan Keelan, 42, of Foscarn Drive, Wythenshawe, is charged with one count of conspiracy to rape and two counts of rape. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- Richard Townsend, 37, of Woodland Street, Heywood, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit assault by penetration and one count of assault by penetration. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
- Robert Stewart, 70, of Sandpiper Drive, Stockport, is charged with one count of conspiracy to rape and two counts of rape. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- David Graves, 59, of Milton Avenue, Derbyshire, is charged with one count of conspiracy to rape, one count of conspiracy to commit assault by penetration and one count of conspiracy to administer a substance with intent. He has denied all charges.
The trial is expected to last several weeks.
