Co-accused in alleged wife rape conspiracy can be named

The co-accused of a rapist who allegedly conspired with other men to drug and sexually abuse his wife can be named for the first time after reporting restrictions were lifted.

The husband, who still cannot be named to maintain his wife's anonymity, initially denied any wrongdoing but has since pleaded guilty to a number of the charges he faces - including rape - although he is set to stand trial on others.

The case involves 13 other men who are alleged to have sexually abused the victim or helped supply substances to render her unconscious, including at her Stockport home.

The husband and 12 of the 13 other men are set to stand trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court in September.

One of the men, Keith Fotheringham, 59, from Dundee, Scotland, has pleaded guilty to all charges he faced.

The 59-year-old admitted offences including conspiracy to rape and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.

The other defendants are aged between 28 and 73, and include Jonathan Kirk, a paramedic who in 2013 was pictured shaking hands with Prince Harry, and Karl Lindsay, the former chief executive of Taunton Town Football Club.

The husband, in his 60s and from Stockport, will face a jury on other charges which he denies including administering a substance with intent to engage in sexual activity between 2004 and 2025, and conspiring with others to drug and rape his wife between 2018 and 2025.

He has also pleaded not guilty to conspiring with others to drug and rape his wife between 2018 and 2025.