A pensioner has pleaded guilty to raping a woman who was drugged by her husband for more than 20 years. Graham Brougham, 74, of Northwich, Cheshire, was set to stand trial alongside 10 other men, all of whom deny various allegations of sexual offending against the same woman.
On Thursday, Brougham appeared in the dock at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester and pleaded guilty to an offence of rape in 2024. His victim sat in the public gallery, holding hands with a relative as they both stared across the courtroom at the defendant as he entered his new plea.
Judge warns of lengthy custody
Judge Maurice Greene renewed Brougham's bail until a sentencing date to be confirmed, but told him: "You should be under no illusion, the sentence will be custody and a long time."
Last week, co-defendant Sean Peers, 38, of Stockport, also changed his plea, admitting a single count of assault by penetration and was bailed ahead of sentencing.
Husband admitted multiple offences
The husband pleaded guilty last month to multiple sexual offences against his wife, including rape and administering a substance with intent, reports the Manchester Evening News. He remains on remand and will likewise be sentenced at a later date.
The man in his 60s, from Stockport, cannot be named in order to protect his wife's anonymity.
Trial of remaining defendants
A jury has been sworn in to hear the trial of the remaining 10 defendants, who are now due back in court on November 2 when the prosecution is expected to open its case.
Those standing trial are David Graves, 60, of Ilkeston, Derbyshire, Daniel Rayner, 42, of Whitstable, Kent, Karl Lindsay, 56, of Taunton, Somerset, Philip Wild, 59, of Stockport, Mohammed Sabir, 28, of Stockport, Jonathan Kirk, 43, of Stockport, Jordan Wallace, 31, of Wythenshawe, Alan Keelan, 42, of Wythenshawe, Robert Stewart, 70, of Stockport, and Richard Townsend, 38, of Heywood.
