Thirteen men charged in the UK alongside a man accused of drugging and raping his wife can now be identified after reporting restrictions were lifted. The main defendant, a man in his 60s from Stockport, Greater Manchester, faces trial in September. He is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting his wife over a period of 20 years and conspiring with other men to engage in abuse. His identity is protected to preserve his wife's anonymity.
Main defendant's charges and co-defendants
The main defendant has pleaded guilty to 15 charges, including five rapes, three sexual assaults, six assaults by penetration, and one count of sharing intimate images without consent. He denies 33 other charges. His co-defendants, aged 28 to 73, face charges including conspiracy to rape and conspiracy to assault by penetration. The group includes a paramedic, a football coach, a taxi driver, and others from various backgrounds.
Details of the accused
Keith Fotheringham, 59, from Dundee, a university technician, pleaded guilty to assault by penetration, conspiracy to assault by penetration, conspiracy to rape, and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent. He was remanded into custody. Jonathan Kirk, 43, a senior paramedic from Stockport, once met Prince Harry in 2013 after Manchester riots. He denies one charge of conspiracy to rape, one of conspiracy to assault by penetration, and one of rape. Philip Wild, 58, a taxi driver from Stockport, denies five charges including conspiracy to rape and attempted rape.
Sean Peers, 37, from Stockport, denies assault by penetration and conspiracy to assault by penetration. Jordan Wallace, 31, a dog walker from Manchester, denies rape, attempted rape, and conspiracy to rape. Alan Keelan, 42, a junior football coach until his arrest, denies conspiracy to rape and two counts of rape. Robert Stewart, 70, a DJ from Stockport, pleads not guilty to conspiracy to rape and two counts of rape. Mohammed Sabir, 28, a recruiter, denies conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration, and three counts of rape.
Graham Brougham, 73, from Cheshire, a member of a walking football team, pleads not guilty to conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration, and rape. Richard Townsend, 37, a metal worker from Heywood, pleads not guilty to assault by penetration and conspiracy to assault by penetration. Karl Lindsay, 55, from Taunton, former CEO of Taunton Town FC, denies conspiracy to assault by penetration, conspiracy to rape, and conspiracy to administer a substance. David Graves, 59, from Ilkeston, and Daniel Rayner, 42, from Whitstable, also deny similar charges.
Trial and custody status
Five defendants are on bail; the rest are in custody. All except Fotheringham are due to stand trial in September at Manchester's Minshull Street crown court. The case continues.
