UK man pleads guilty to drugging, raping wife for 20 years, breaks down in court

A British man has admitted to drugging and raping his wife over a period of about 20 years, while also pleading guilty to 60 offences against her.

The man, who is in his 60s and cannot be named to protect his wife’s anonymity, had previously admitted 15 offences and pleaded guilty on Monday to the remaining 45 charges.

As he entered his guilty pleas at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, he became visibly emotional and appeared to choke back tears, while his wife and other family members were present in the courtroom. His wife also became emotional.

The offences admitted by the man include rape, assault by penetration and administering a substance with intent. He had also previously admitted sharing intimate photographs or videos of his wife without her consent for sexual gratification.

The alleged offences involving his wife date back to 2004 and the husband will be sentenced at the conclusion of the trial.

Meanwhile, 12 other men are facing separate allegations, which took place between September 2018 and November 2025 and involving the same woman. A 13th man has previously pleaded guilty to sexual offences against the woman.

Their charges range from rape and attempted rape to conspiracy and assault.

Among those facing trial is Jonathan Kirk, 43, a Stockport paramedic who was photographed shaking hands with Prince Harry in 2011 during the royal's visit to emergency workers following riots in Manchester and Salford. He faces charges including rape and conspiracy to rape.

Karl Lindsay, 55, a former football club chief executive, is accused of conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.

Others facing charges include Mohammed Sabir, 28; Philip Wild, 58; Jordan Wallace, 31; former youth football coach Alan Keelan, 42; Robert Stewart, 70; Sean Peers, 38; Richard Townsend, 37; Daniel Rayner, 42; David Graves, 59; and Graham Brougham, 73.

The case has drawn comparisons with the high-profile case of Gisele Pelicot in France, whose then-husband, Dominique Pelicot, was convicted in 2024 of drugging her and arranging for other men to rape her over nearly a decade.

All 51 co-defendants were also convicted of offences linked to the abuse. Pelicot waived her right to anonymity and insisted that the trial be held in public.

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