Husband in his 60s pleads guilty to drugging and raping his unconscious wife since early 2000s

A HUSBAND in his 60s has pleaded guilty to drugging and raping his wife without her knowledge over a period of more than two decades, a court heard.

The husband, who cannot be named to protect his wife’s legal right to anonymity, appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court today where he admitted over 60 charges.

The man sobbed in the dock as he gave guilty pleas to dozens of charges of rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault and attempted rapes.

He also admitted administering a substance “with the intention of stupefying or overpowering” her “so as to enable” his wife to engage in sexual activity between November 2004 and October 2025.

The husband also admitted a further charge of sharing intimate pictures or video footage.

He pleaded guilty to eight more charges of serious sexual assault.

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The offending was carried out at the couple’s home in Stockport, Greater Manchester, prior to his shock arrest in October 2025.

The shocking case involves 13 other men who are alleged to have sexually abused the victim or helped supply substances to render her unconscious.

The other men are accused of joining in the abuse between September 2018 until November 2025 – when the arrests were made.

The husband and 12 of the 13 other men are currently standing trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

They are aged between 29 and 74 and include an ambulance paramedic once pictured meeting Prince Harry during a royal visit.

Also among them are a former nightclub DJ, a football club chief executive and university technician.

Twelve of them have denied a range of offences including rape, conspiracy to rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.

One has pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to rape.

Among them is an ambulance paramedic, a pensioner, a former DJ, a dog walker, a football coach and a taxi driver.

Others include a factory worker, an unemployed man and a former non-league football club chief exec.

Keith Fotheringham, 59, pleaded guilty in February 2026 to four offences between 2023 and 2025: conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to commit assault by penetration, conspiracy to administer a substance with intent and assault by penetration.

The married dad of two is a technician at the University of Dundee and lives in the Scottish city.