Thirteen men charged as part of an alleged long-running sexual abuse conspiracy involving a married couple from Stockport can now be identified after reporting restrictions were lifted.
The case centres on allegations that a man in his 60s drugged and repeatedly raped his wife over a period spanning approximately two decades before arranging for other men to sexually abuse her.
The husband cannot be identified because doing so would risk identifying the complainant, who is entitled to lifelong anonymity under UK law.
Earlier this week, he pleaded guilty to 15 of the 48 charges he faces.
His admissions include five counts of rape, six counts of assault by penetration, three counts of sexual assault and one count of sharing intimate photographs or videos without consent.
He denies the remaining allegations, including other counts of rape, attempted rape, conspiracy offences and administering a noxious substance.
One of the co-defendants, Keith Fotheringham, 59, of Cleghorn Street, Dundee, has admitted all the charges against him.
He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to commit assault by penetration, conspiracy to administer a substance with intent and assault by penetration.
The remaining twelve defendants have all entered not guilty pleas.
They are:
- Karl Lindsay, 55, of Wordsworth Drive, Taunton.
- Daniel Rayner, 41, of Sherwood Drive, Whitstable.
- Graham Brougham, 73, of Birtwistle Road, Rudheath, Northwich.
- Philip Wild, 58, of St Davids Road, Cheadle.
- Mohammed Sabir, 28, of no fixed address.
- Jonathan Kirk, 43, of Telford Close, Macclesfield.
- Sean Peers, 37, of Sandwich Road, Eccles.
- Jordan Wallace, 31, of Hindsford Close, Wythenshawe.
- Alan Keelan, 42, of Foscarn Drive, Wythenshawe.
- Richard Townsend, 37, of Woodland Street, Heywood.
- Robert Stewart, 70, of Sandpiper Drive, Stockport.
- David Graves, 59, of Milton Avenue, Derbyshire.
The charges faced by the defendants include various allegations of conspiracy to rape, rape, conspiracy to commit assault by penetration, assault by penetration, attempted rape, sexual assault and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.
All allegations relate to a single complainant.
The trial involving the defendants who deny the allegations is scheduled to begin at Minshull Street Crown Court in September.
As with all criminal proceedings, every defendant who has pleaded not guilty is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
