12 men, 20 years: UK man accused of drugging, raping wife for over 20 years

Along with the husband, a total of 12 men, aged between 28 and 73 years old, will also stand on trial for conspiring to sexually abuse the victim.

A British man has been accused of drugging and subjecting his wife to sexual abuse and rape for over 20 years, along with 12 other men.

The husband has been indicted on 48 charges. Initially, the man in his 60s denied all charges. A statement from Greater Manchester Police in June stated that he pleaded guilty to 15 of these charges. (REUTERS/Representational)

The trial against the 60-year-old man, whose identity has not been revealed to ensure privacy for his wife, will begin on Wednesday. He has been accused of conspiring with others to drug and rape his wife while she was unconscious.

The incident, which took place in the Greater Manchester Area, has triggered sharp reactions online due to similarities with the Gisele Pelicot case in France.

Abuse took place over 20 years

As per the BBC, the husband has been indicted on 48 charges. Initially, the man in his 60s denied all charges. A statement from Greater Manchester Police in June stated that he pleaded guilty to 15 of these charges.

These charges include five counts of rape; three counts of sexual assault; six counts of assault by penetration and one count of sharing intimate photos or film," said the police statement.

According to the UK's Crown Prosecution Service, the man continues to deny 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.

As per officials, the crime took place over a period of 20 years, with the first incident dating back to 2004 and the latest in 2025.

12 men named in case

Along with the husband, a total of 12 men, aged between 28 and 73 years old, will also stand on trial for conspiring to sexually abuse the victim while she was drugged. However, they have denied the charges against him.

While the husband's identity has not been revealed, the other men on trial have been identified as -

1. Jonathan Kirk, 43, a paramedic from Stockport, was charged with rape, conspiracy to rape, and conspiracy to assault by penetration.
2. Karl Lindsay, 55, a former football club chief executive, who is charged with conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.
3. Mohammed Sabir, 28, charged with rape, conspiracy to rape and conspiracy to assault by penetration
4. Philip Wild, 58, charged with conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration, attempted rape and assault by penetration
5. Jordan Wallace, 31, charged with rape, conspiracy to rape and attempted rape
6. Alan Keelan, 42, a former youth football coach, and Robert Stewart, 70, who have been charged with rape and conspiracy to rape
7. Sean Peers, 38, and Richard Townsend, 37, who are facing charges of assault by penetration and conspiracy to assault by penetration
8. Daniel Rayner, 42, of Kent has been charged with conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.
9. David Graves, 59, of Derbyshire, has been charged with conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent
10. Graham Brougham, 73, of Cheshire, has been charged with rape, conspiracy to rape and conspiracy to assault by penetration.
11. Robert Stewart, 70, from Stockport, charged with rape and assault.
12. Richard Townsend, 37, from Rochdale, charged with rape, conspiracy to rape and conspiracy to assault by penetration.