Men who allegedly helped rapist drug and abuse wife named

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Men who allegedly helped rapist drug and abuse wife namedImage caption, The man appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court earlierByJonny HumphriesNorth WestPublished26 June 2026, 11:42 BSTUpdated 17 minutes agoThe co-accused of a rapist who allegedly conspired with other men to drug and sexually abuse his wife can be named for the first time after reporting restrictions were lifted. The husband, who still cannot be named to maintain his wife's anonymity, initially denied any wrongdoing but has since pleaded guilty to a number of the charges he faces - including rape - although he is set to stand trial on others. The case involves 13 other men who are alleged to have sexually abused the victim or helped supply substances to render her unconscious.

The husband and 12 of the 13 other defendants, ranging in age from 28 to 73, are set to stand trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court in September. Image caption, Graham Brougham from Cheshire arrives at court One of the men, Keith Fotheringham, 59, from Dundee, Scotland, has pleaded guilty to all charges he faced. The 59-year-old admitted offences including conspiracy to rape and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.

The Details

Image caption, Alan Keelan is one of the 14 defendants The husband, in his 60s and from Stockport, Greater Manchester, has admitted some sexual offences against his wife, but will also face a jury on other charges, which he denies, including administering a substance with intent to engage in sexual activity between 2004 and 2025, and conspiring with others to drug and rape his wife between 2018 and 2025. He has also pleaded not guilty to conspiring with others to drug and rape his wife between 2018 and 2025. Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Co-defendant Jonathan Kirk arriving at the court The other defendants are: Philip Wild (10/10/1967) from StockportSean Peers (29/08/1988) from StockportJordan Wallace (16/01/1995) from ManchesterAlan Keelan (16/02/1984) from ManchesterJonathan Kirk (21/12/1982) from StockportRobert Stewart (01/04/1956) from StockportMohammed Sabir (09/12/1997) of no fixed abodeGraham Brougham (03/09/1952) from Northwich, CheshireRichard Townsend (17/09/1988) from RochdaleKarl Lindsay (03/09/1970) non-contact offender, Taunton, SomersetDaniel Rayner (08/04/1984) non-contact offender, from, Whitstable, KentDavid Graves (11/10/1966) non-contact offender, from, Ilkeston, DerbyshireImage caption, Co-defendant Sean Peers arriving at Manchester Minshull Street Magistrates' CourtOn Monday the husband, who cannot be identified, changed some of his pleas after he previously denied all 48 counts he faced on the indictment involving his wife.

He pleaded guilty to five counts of rape, six counts of assault by penetration and three counts of sexual assault on various dates between 2022 and 2025.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.