Husband Pleads Guilty to Decades of Drugging, Raping Wife
A man in his 60s admitted 60 charges of drugging and raping his wife across more than 20 years. He entered guilty pleas at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on September 14.
- 60 charges include rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, and administering a substance with intent.
- Offending took place at the family home in Stockport, Greater Manchester, between 2004 and 2025.
- 13 other men are accused of offences against the same woman; 12 deny all charges.
- 1 other defendant, Keith Fotheringham, 59, previously pleaded guilty to four related offences.
Why it matters: The wife, present in court with her two sons, watched the proceedings from the public gallery. The husband became visibly emotional during the 18-minute plea process.
- The husband cannot be named in order to protect his wife's legal right to anonymity.
How 6 sources split on this story
Center coverage, 2 sources: The center focuses on courtroom proceedings and the husband's emotional reaction, keeping detail minimal and noting the story is developing.
Right coverage, 2 sources: The right provides extensive detail on each of the 13 other accused — including their occupations, ages, and the specific charges they face.
What’s next: Trial for the 13 other accused is scheduled to begin in October and is expected to last at least two months.
- The husband will be sentenced at the conclusion of that trial.
- What sentence the husband will receive has not yet been determined.
- Whether further defendants may change their pleas before or during trial remains unknown.