Reporting restrictions have been lifted on the identities of 12 co-defendants of a man accused of conspiring to drug and rape his unconscious wife. The men, aged between 28 and 73 and from across the UK, can now be publicly identified ahead of a trial scheduled for later this year at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
Husband admits some offences but denies drugging wife
The husband, in his 60s and from Stockport, Greater Manchester, cannot be named to protect his wife's anonymity. He has admitted to some sexual offences against his wife but will face a jury after denying drugging her for sex between 2004 and 2025. He also pleaded not guilty to conspiring with others to drug and rape his wife between 2018 and 2025.
On Monday, the husband changed some of his pleas after previously denying all 48 counts on the indictment. He pleaded guilty to five counts of rape, six counts of assault by penetration, and three counts of sexual assault on various dates between 2022 and 2025. He also admitted sharing intimate photographs or film of his wife without her consent for sexual gratification. He continues to deny 11 counts of rape, two counts of attempted rape, seven counts of assault by penetration, four counts of sexual assault, four counts of conspiracy to rape, three counts of conspiracy to assault by penetration, one count of conspiracy to administer a substance with intent, and one count of administering a substance with intent.
Details of the 12 co-defendants
Among the co-defendants, Keith Fotheringham, 59, from Dundee, Scotland, has admitted assault by penetration, conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration, and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent to stupefy or overpower. He entered his pleas in February and will be sentenced at a later date.
Three other defendants are set to stand trial on September 1 for allegedly sexually abusing the victim or helping supply substances to render her unconscious: David Graves, 59, of Ilkeston, Derbyshire; Daniel Rayner, 42, of Whitstable, Kent; and Karl Lindsay, 55, of Taunton, Somerset. Lindsay is the former chief executive of Taunton Town Football Club, having stepped down in November 2025. The club issued a statement confirming no association with him. All three deny conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration, and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.
Graham Brougham, 73, of Northwich, Cheshire, has pleaded not guilty to rape, conspiracy to rape, and conspiracy to assault by penetration. Philip Wild, 58, of Stockport, Greater Manchester, denies attempted rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, conspiracy to rape, and conspiracy to assault by penetration. Mohammed Sabir, 28, of Stockport, denies three counts of rape, conspiracy to rape, and conspiracy to assault by penetration. Jonathan Kirk, 43, a paramedic from Stockport who was photographed meeting Prince Harry in 2013, denies rape, conspiracy to rape, and conspiracy to assault by penetration. Sean Peers, 37, of Stockport, has pleaded not guilty to assault by penetration and conspiracy to assault by penetration. Jordan Wallace, 31, of Wythenshawe, Manchester, denies rape, attempted rape, and conspiracy to rape. Alan Keelan, 42, of Wythenshawe, and Robert Stewart, 70, of Stockport, both deny two counts of rape and conspiracy to rape. Richard Townsend, 37, of Heywood, Greater Manchester, denies assault by penetration and conspiracy to assault by penetration.
Full list of co-defendants
The co-defendants named are: Mohammed Sabir, 28, of no fixed abode; Jordan Wallace, 31, from Manchester; Sean Peers, 37, from Stockport; Richard Townsend, 37, from Rochdale; Alan Keelan, 42, from Manchester; Jonathan Kirk, 43, from Stockport; Philip Wild, 58, from Stockport; Robert Stewart, 70, from Stockport; Graham Brougham, 73, from Northwich, Cheshire. Not accused of contact offences but allegedly conspired to abuse the victim in other ways: Daniel Rayner, 42, from Whitstable, Kent; Karl Lindsay, 55, from Taunton, Somerset; David Graves, 59, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire.
Next court hearing and trial
A further preliminary hearing will be held at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on August 24, a week ahead of the scheduled 12-week trial. Rape Crisis England & Wales offers support for survivors of sexual violence. Their 24/7 support line can be reached for free on 0808 500 2222.
