A man has pleaded guilty to 32 sexual offences committed against his partner while she was drugged or asleep over more than a decade, including some attacks carried out with other people. Appearing at Northampton Crown Court on Tuesday, the defendant, in his 40s and not named for legal reasons, admitted 12 counts of rape, 14 counts of assault by penetration, and six counts of sexual assault.
The court heard that ten of the offences were committed “together with a person unknown”. Recordings of some attacks were found on the defendant’s devices. The abuse began in January 2014 and continued until last September. At one point during the hearing, the man asked the judge for a moment, then sat with his head down in silence.
Prosecutor Alexandra Felix KC told the court the prosecution maintained all offences occurred while the victim was drugged, but the defence disputed this, arguing she may have been asleep rather than drugged. Defence barrister Nathalie Carter said the defendant had “made it clear to me from the beginning he didn’t want to contest any matters”. No Newton hearing will be held.
Judge David Herbert KC warned a “very substantial prison term” is inevitable, and he will consider whether a life sentence is appropriate. Sentencing is scheduled for 18 September. Andrew Hopkinson of the Crown Prosecution Service praised the victim’s courage and said the case was built on close work with Northamptonshire Police.
The case follows a National Crime Agency warning about an international network of drug-facilitated sexual offending, where victims are sedated before being raped. The NCA cited the Gisèle Pelicot case in France and said online platforms are enabling such crimes.
