Overview
- Reporting restrictions were lifted on Friday, June 26, allowing the media to identify 13 men who face charges linked to the same complainant.
- The husband, who cannot be named to protect his wife’s lifetime anonymity, has pleaded guilty to 15 of 48 counts, including five counts of rape and six counts of assault by penetration, but he denies charges that he drugged her or conspired with others.
- One co‑defendant, Keith Fotheringham, pleaded guilty in February to offences including conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to administer a substance with intent, and assault by penetration and will be sentenced later.
- A 12‑week trial is set to begin at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on 1 September with a preliminary hearing on 24 August and most co‑defendants have pleaded not guilty.
- Prosecutors say the alleged offending stretches from about 2004 to 2025, with earlier offences carried out alone and later allegations that substances were used to incapacitate the victim and recordings form part of the complex evidence in the case.