Reporting restrictions that previously prevented the identification of 12 co-defendants of a man accused of conspiring to drug and rape his unconscious wife have been lifted. The men, who come from across the United Kingdom and are aged between 28 and 73, can now be publicly named ahead of a trial scheduled to take place in Manchester later this year.
Husband Cannot Be Named to Protect Wife's Identity
The husband, who is in his 60s and from Stockport, Greater Manchester, cannot be named in order to protect the anonymity of his wife. He has admitted to some sexual offences against his wife but will face a jury after denying that he drugged her for sex between 2004 and 2025. He has also pleaded not guilty to conspiring with others to drug and rape his wife between 2018 and 2025.
Defendants and Charges
The 12 co-defendants include Keith Fotheringham, 59, from Dundee, Scotland. Fotheringham 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.
Also set to stand trial on September 1 for allegedly sexually abusing the victim or helping supply substances to render her unconscious are 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. He stepped down from the position in November 2025, with the club issuing a statement today 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, has pleaded not guilty to 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, has pleaded not guilty to 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.
Husband Changes Pleas
On Monday, the husband changed some of his pleas after he previously denied all 48 counts he faced on the indictment involving his wife. 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.
Next Hearing
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.
