A husband has admitted raping and sexually abusing his wife, as 13 other men are set to go on trial also accused of sexually abusing the same woman. The defendant, a man in his 60s from Stockport, denies drugging her.
Guilty Pleas Entered at Minshull Street Crown Court
During a hearing at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester on June 22, the husband entered guilty pleas to 12 charges. He admitted 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 previously denied more than 40 charges in relation to the same complainant.
The man denies all other offences, which include charges of conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to administer a substance with intent, conspiracy to commit assault by penetration, and administering a substance with intent. The Manchester Evening News and other media organisations are not naming the man in order to protect the anonymity of his alleged victim, who is entitled to lifelong anonymity under the law.
13 Co-Defendants to Stand Trial
Thirteen other men have been charged as part of the same case. One of them has admitted all charges he faces, including 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 remaining 12 defendants have denied all charges against them and cannot be named due to a court order. They are scheduled to stand trial at Minshull Street Crown Court in September.
Full List of Charges
The husband faces a total of 13 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, and denies all remaining counts.
Among the other defendants, charges include conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to commit assault by penetration, conspiracy to administer a substance with intent, rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, and assault by penetration. Each defendant has entered not guilty pleas to the charges they face, except for one who has pleaded guilty to all four charges against him.
