By Fatma Younis
Nine men are on trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court accused of participating in or encouraging the sexual abuse of a woman who was drugged and raped by her husband over more than 20 years. The husband, in his 60s, has pleaded guilty to multiple offences but cannot be named to protect the victim's anonymity.
Husband's guilty plea and role
Prosecutor Louise Oakley KC told the jury the husband met the first defendant, Robert Stewart, 70, on Craigslist in 2015, which became a "blueprint for future offending." Stewart supplied antidepressants and Tramadol to drug the wife, and the husband invited him to their home when she was unconscious.
Prosecution outlines abuse network
The court heard the husband searched online for date rape drugs, GHB, and sleeping tablets. He also discussed drugging his wife with a second defendant, David Graves, 60, who supplied tablets in exchange for imagery of the abuse. Graves became impatient when images were delayed.
Defendants and charges
A third defendant, Philip Wild, 58, visited the couple's home in August 2023 and sexually touched the unconscious woman. The husband connected Wild with Graham Brougham, 74, via a WhatsApp group renamed "Taxi" to avoid suspicion. The husband also sent pictures of his wife to Daniel Rayner, 42, who repeatedly requested images and discussed obtaining GHB. Five other men – Jordan Wallace, 31; Alan Keelan, 42; Jonathan Kirk, 43; Mohammed Sabir, 28; and Richard Townsend, 37 – are also on trial. All deny the charges.
Trial continues
Three men – Sean Peers, 38; Keith Fotheringham, 59; and Graham Brougham, 74 – have already admitted abusing the woman, while Karl Lindsay, 56, pleaded guilty to non-contact offences. Oakley said the case reveals "many, many men whose fantasy is an unconscious and unresponsive woman." The prosecution argued the defendants knew the woman was not conscious and that any claim of consent is false. The trial is expected to last three months.
