Man admits drugging and raping wife for more than 20 years without her knowing

A man has admitted to drugging and raping his wife without her knowledge for more than 20 years. The offender, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim, was due to stand trial at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court this week. But on Monday, he dramatically changed his pleas to guilty on 45 offences beginning in 2004 and continuing until 2025. The man, who is aged in his 60s and from the Stockport area of Greater Manchester, wept and put his head in his hands as he admitted to charges including 21 counts of rape against his wife. He abused his wife while she was incapacitated with either alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two, the court heard. The victim was in court and watched her husband admit to abusing her from the public gallery. She held hands with two family members who sat either side of her and appeared to wipe away tears on several occasions. It took a court clerk around 20 minutes to read out the full list of charges. As a victim of a sexual offence she is entitled to lifelong anonymity. Thirteen other men are also accused of serious sexual offences against her. Keith Fotheringham, a 59-year-old who worked as a technician at the University of Dundee, has pleaded guilty to all offences. Jonathan Kirk, 43, of Stockport, who denies rape, is a former senior paramedic who served at least 14 years with North West Ambulance Service (NWAS). An archive newspaper story shows he was once invited to meet Prince Harry when he visited Greater Manchester in the aftermath of rioting in 2011. Others to have been charged include Alan Keelan, who has worked as a youth football coach, Philip Wild, 58, a taxi driver and Karl Lindsay, 55, the former chief executive of Taunton football club. A trial is due to go ahead lasting up to 15 weeks. Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson said: “Our focus remains on supporting the victim of this horrific campaign of abuse through what is a very complex investigation. “Specialist support continues to be provided to the victim at the centre of this case. “If you are concerned you or someone you know may be affected by drug-facilitated sexual abuse, please know that you do not need proof, certainty, or a clear memory to be taken seriously. “You are not expected to understand exactly what has happened or who was involved in order to be taken seriously. If you feel that something has happened, then please report it or ask for help.”