A man from Stockport has pleaded guilty to a staggering series of sexual offences, admitting to drugging and raping his wife without her knowledge over a period spanning more than two decades.
The defendant, whose identity is protected by a lifelong legal anonymity order granted to his wife, appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Monday. The survivor of the abuse was present in the courtroom, sitting in the front row of the public gallery surrounded by family as the man entered his guilty pleas.
The husband, who is in his 60s, had already previously admitted to five counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, six counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sharing intimate photos. On Monday, he changed his plea to guilty on a further 45 charges, bringing the total number of admitted offences to a harrowing list of violations.
In total, the defendant has now pleaded guilty to 16 counts of rape, nine counts of assault by penetration, seven counts of sexual assault, four counts of attempted rape, eight counts of other sexual offences, and one count of administering a substance with intent to stupefy or overpower.
Prosecutors told the court that the abuse occurred at the couple’s home in the Stockport area of Greater Manchester. The husband admitted to systematically drugging his wife between 2004 and 2025, leaving her completely unaware of the sexual assaults being committed against her. Further investigations revealed that the abuse extended to inviting other men to participate in the acts from September 2018 until the couple’s arrest in November 2025.
Dressed in a dark grey suit, blue shirt, and tie, the defendant reportedly broke down in tears while standing in the dock. He was eventually permitted to sit down to address the remaining charges as they were read out.
Following the hearing, Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson issued a statement emphasizing that the focus remains on the survivor. “Our focus remains on supporting the victim of this horrific campaign of abuse through what is a very complex investigation,” he said, confirming that the survivor continues to receive specialist support.
Addressing the broader issue of drug-facilitated sexual abuse, ACC Jackson added: “If you are concerned you or someone you know may be affected by drug-facilitated sexual abuse, please know that you do not need proof, certainty, or a clear memory to be taken seriously. You are not expected to understand exactly what has happened or who was involved in order to be taken seriously. If you feel that something has happened, then please report it or ask for help.”
The case remains one of the most significant and complex investigations handled by Greater Manchester Police in recent years. Sentencing is expected to follow at a later date.
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