By Islam El-Sakka
Nine men are standing trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court accused of either participating in the sexual abuse of a woman or encouraging the offenses online, while her husband arranged for them to visit the marital home. The husband, in his 60s and from Stockport, Greater Manchester, has pleaded guilty to more than 60 offenses against his wife and cannot be named to protect her anonymity.
Prosecutor outlines timeline of alleged abuse
Prosecutor Louise Oakley KC told the jury that by January 2025 the husband showed no intention of stopping his offending. "If anything, his resolve to satisfy his own perversity continued," she said, with arrangements made for "more and more individuals to attend." The court heard that two defendants, Philip Wild, 59, and Mohammed Sabir, 28, both from Stockport, abused the woman in succession on a single night in early 2025. Oakley said Wild was "fully aware" the woman was unconscious and unable to consent, and that Sabir knew her condition before entering the bedroom and never sought consent.
Defendants accused of contact and non-contact offenses
Daniel Rayner, 42, of Whitstable, Kent, is charged with conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration, and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent. The court heard he repeatedly requested imagery of the abuse and discussed using GHB. Jordan Wallace, 31, of Wythenshawe, Manchester, allegedly arrived at the home by bicycle after the husband declined to pick him up. Oakley said Wallace was "fully aware" the wife was unconscious and became rough during the assault. Alan Keelan, 42, also of Wythenshawe, is accused of attempting to have sex with the unconscious woman while wearing women's underwear. Richard Townsend, 38, of Heywood, Greater Manchester, allegedly assaulted her with the husband's assistance until she showed signs of stirring. Jonathan Kirk, 43, a paramedic from Stockport, is accused of raping the woman after viewing photographs of her unconscious; Oakley told the court his medical training meant he could not have failed to notice her condition.
Additional defendants and guilty pleas
Robert Stewart, 70, of Stockport, and David Graves, 60, of Ilkeston, Derbyshire, also deny various conspiracy charges. Three men — Graham Brougham, 74, of Cheshire; Sean Peers, 38, of Stockport; and Keith Fotheringham, 59, of Dundee — have pleaded guilty to offenses against the same woman. Karl Lindsay, 56, of Somerset, has pleaded guilty to non-contact offenses. All will be sentenced alongside the husband at a later date. The trial continues.
