A Heywood man is among 13 men due to stand trial in September following a Greater Manchester Police investigation into allegations of drug facilitated sexual abuse against one woman.
A man in his 60s, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has admitted a number of offences and faces further charges alongside the other defendants.
Greater Manchester Police has charged 13 men as part of what it describes as a complex investigation into alleged drug facilitated sexual abuse involving the same woman.
The case centres on allegations that a man in his 60s from Stockport conspired with others to drug his wife before she was raped while unconscious.
The defendant, who cannot be identified because doing so could lead to the identification of the complainant, has admitted five counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, six counts of assault by penetration and one count of sharing intimate photographs or films.
He has also been charged with further offences including rape, attempted rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration, administering a substance with intent and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent. He has been remanded in custody.
Among those charged is Richard Townsend, 37, of Heywood, who is charged with conspiracy to assault by penetration and assault by penetration.
The remaining defendants are Karl Lindsay, of Taunton, Daniel Rayner, of Whitstable, Robert Stewart, of Stockport, Philip Wild, of Cheadle, David Graves, of Ilkeston, Mohammed Sabir, of Cheadle, Graham Brougham, of Northwich, Alan Keelan, of Wythenshawe, Jonathan Kirk, of Edgeley, Sean Peers, of Stockport and Jordan Wallace, of Manchester. They face various charges including rape, conspiracy to rape, assault by penetration, conspiracy to assault by penetration, attempted rape and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.
Keith Fotheringham, of Dundee, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration, conspiracy to administer a substance with intent and assault by penetration. He has also been remanded in custody.
The defendants are due to stand trial in September.
Greater Manchester Police is continuing its investigation and is appealing for anyone with concerns or information to come forward. Anyone wishing to contact officers can do so online or by calling 101 quoting reference 771 of 25 June 2026. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police said anyone who believes they may have been affected by drug facilitated sexual abuse does not need proof or a clear memory to be taken seriously. Specialist support is also available through Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Greater Manchester Rape Crisis and Survivors Manchester.
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