Husband who drugged and raped wife for 20 years dropped from wider trial
A man from the Stockport area of Greater Manchester has pleaded guilty to 60 offences against his wife, including rape and drugging her without her knowledge since 2004, and will no longer be tried alongside 12 other men accused of abusing the same woman.
A jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court has been told that a man in his 60s from the Stockport area will no longer be a defendant in a wider trial involving several other men, after admitting a total of 60 offences against his wife.
The man pleaded guilty on Monday to a further 45 charges, including rape, assault by penetration, administering a substance with intent, and sharing indecent images of his wife without her consent. He had already admitted 15 offences dating back to 2022, but the case has now revealed the abuse began in 2004. His identity cannot be published in order to protect his wife's legal right to anonymity. His wife watched from the public gallery, comforted by family members, as he pleaded guilty to dozens of charges.
Twelve other men still face trial
Twelve other men remain due to stand trial for serious sexual offences, including rape, against the same woman, allegedly committed since September 2018. A 14th man has also pleaded guilty to sexual offences against her.
Trial judge Maurice Greene explained to jurors why the husband's case had been separated from the others — his identity must remain protected to preserve his wife's anonymity. The jury, made up of nine women and three men plus two female reserve jurors, has been told to return to court on 5 October, when the prosecution is expected to open its case against the remaining defendants. The judge said he expects the trial to conclude by 18 December.
