Co-accused Named Following Lifting of Reporting Restrictions
The co-accused of a man charged with raping and conspiring with others to drug and sexually abuse his wife have been named for the first time after reporting restrictions were lifted. The husband, whose identity remains protected to preserve his wife's anonymity, initially denied all allegations but has since pleaded guilty to several charges, including rape, while other charges will proceed to trial.
The case involves 13 other men alleged to have sexually abused the victim or assisted in supplying substances to render her unconscious.
The husband and 12 of the 13 other defendants, aged between 28 and 73, are scheduled to stand trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court in September.
One of the men, Keith Fotheringham, 59, from Dundee, Scotland, has pleaded guilty to all charges against him, including conspiracy to rape and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.
The husband, in his 60s and from Stockport, Greater Manchester, has admitted some sexual offences against his wife but denies others. He faces charges 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 pleaded not guilty to some charges, including conspiring with others to drug and rape his wife during the same period.
The defendants include:
- Philip Wild (10/10/1967) from Stockport
- Sean Peers (29/08/1988) from Stockport
- Jordan Wallace (16/01/1995) from Manchester
- Alan Keelan (16/02/1984) from Manchester
- Jonathan Kirk (21/12/1982) from Stockport
- Robert Stewart (01/04/1956) from Stockport
- Mohammed Sabir (09/12/1997) of no fixed abode
- Graham Brougham (03/09/1952) from Northwich, Cheshire
- Richard Townsend (17/09/1988) from Rochdale
- Karl Lindsay (03/09/1970) non-contact offender, Taunton, Somerset
- Daniel Rayner (08/04/1984) non-contact offender, Whitstable, Kent
- David Graves (11/10/1966) non-contact offender, Ilkeston, Derbyshire
On Monday, the husband altered some of his pleas after previously denying all 48 counts on the indictment related to his wife.
He pleaded guilty to five counts of rape, six counts of assault by penetration, and three counts of sexual assault occurring between 2022 and 2025.
The husband also admitted to sharing intimate photographs or videos of his wife without her consent for sexual gratification.
He denies 11 counts of rape, two counts of attempted rape, seven counts of assault by penetration, four counts of sexual assault, four counts of conspiracy to rape, three counts of conspiracy to assault by penetration, one count of conspiracy to administer a substance with intent, and one count of administering a substance with intent.
A further preliminary hearing is scheduled at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on 24 August, ahead of the 12-week trial set to begin in September.
Contact and Additional Information
Readers are encouraged to suggest stories for coverage in Greater Manchester.
Listeners can access BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can also be submitted via WhatsApp at 0808 100 2230.
Related Coverage
For further information, see the related story:
Husband accused of drugging wife admits rape
