Stockport man in court accused of plot to drug and rape his wife

Man in 60s also faces charges of raping and sexually assaulting his wife over period of 20 years

A man has appeared in court accused of conspiring with other men to drug his wife and rape her while she was unconscious.

The man, in his 60s, from the Stockport area of Greater Manchester, also faces charges of raping and sexually assaulting his wife over a period of 20 years.

He was arrested last year, and on Friday pleaded not guilty to 48 separate charges, including multiple rapes and sexual assaults, at Manchester Minshull Street crown court.

He appeared in the dock alongside 12 other men, aged between 28 and 73, five of whom are from Stockport, three from elsewhere in Greater Manchester, one from Cheshire, and three from other parts of the UK.

They faced a variety of charges including conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration, rape, and sexual assault.

One man, in his 50s, from Dundee, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rape, assault by penetration, and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent. He is due to be sentenced at a later date.

Six of his co-defendants denied the charges against them, while five were not asked to enter pleas until a later date.

Five men stood in the dock, while eight, including the husband, appeared on videolink from prison, where they were being held on remand.

The courtroom was full, with relatives of the alleged victim and families of the defendants in the public gallery.

The men, who can not be identified for legal reasons, are due to stand trial at the same court in September.