Drug rape plotter asked husband to film live sex abuse of wife, jury told
A man who allegedly plotted to drug a woman who was repeatedly raped by her husband for more than 20 years encouraged him to film the abuse live, a jury has heard.
Kitchen firm sales rep David Graves, 60, is one of nine men on trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court accused of various offences against the man’s wife.
The husband, who cannot be identified to protect his wife’s anonymity, will give evidence against the men after he pleaded guilty in September to multiple offences dating from 2004 including rape and administering a substance with intent.
On November 10 jurors were read messages the husband exchanged with various individuals – some unknown – from the UK and abroad.
Police recovered messages between the husband, in his 60s from Stockport, and Graves, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, from as early as 2018, the court heard.
In one exchange in 2020, Graves said: “Cam her live.”
The husband replied: “You know Skype is too noisy and have family about anyway.”
Graves said: “Start cam in another room.”
The husband said: “Family here.”
Graves said: “You can get round that.”
The following day Graves asked the husband: “All good you?”
The husband said: “Good.”
Graves said: “And the s***?
The husband said: “Working.”
Graves said: “As always. You need get something new on her.”
The husband replied: “I want GHB or something soon.”
Graves said: “Need do something to her.”
The husband said: ”Yes. Thought I would have been able to find someone to help me by now.”
Graves suggested: “Get her p***** more.”
The husband said: “Booze is unreliable.”
Graves said: “Better than nothing at all like you getting.”
In 2021, Graves messaged: “Did you use tabs?”
The husband said: “Tried tabs but they tasted bitter. She thought something wrong with the curry.
“Crushed them in. Had to convince her the plate must have had cleaning stuff on it or something.
“Very disappointing.”
The jury of nine women and three men were also read messages between the husband and Karl Lindsay, 56, of Taunton, Somerset, who pleaded guilty before the trial to a number of offences including conspiracy to rape and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.
In a three-way online conversation in 2019 with an unknown male, Lindsay wrote: “I would love to do her.”
The unknown male replied: “Me u both Karl.”
Lindsay, former chief executive of non-league football club Taunton Town, said: “Get in line.”
After the husband sent them images of his abuse, Lindsay said: “Wow. I can’t believe she sleeps through it.
“Incredible vid the last one."
Lindsay will be sentenced at a later date.
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Who are the nine defendants standing trial?
David Graves
David Graves
60, from Derbyshire, he was retired but previously worked as a sales rep for a kitchen/joinery company. He stands accused of conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.
Alan Keelan
Alan Keelan
42, from Wythenshawe, he worked for Sentex Industrial Cleaning and coached Wythenshawe Celtic FC. He is charged with attempted rape and assault by penetration.
Jonathan Kirk
Jonathan Kirk
43, from Edgeley, Stockport, he worked as a senior paramedic. He is accused of rape and conspiracy to rape.
Daniel Rayner
Daniel Rayner
42, from Whitstable, Kent, he was a self-employed mechanic. He stands accused of conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.
Mohammed Sabir
Mohammed Sabir
28, from Stockport, he worked for Lloyds Bank and, at the time of his arrest, for a recruitment agency. He is accused of rape and conspiracy to rape.
Robert Stewart
Robert Stewart
70, he was retired and lived in Stockport. He is accused of rape, conspiracy to rape and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.
Richard Townsend
Richard Townsend
38, from Heywood, Rochdale, he was a sheet metal worker. He is charged with assault by penetration.
Jordan Wallace
Jordan Wallace
31, from Wythenshawe, he worked in building supplies. He is charged with rape and attempted rape.
Philip Wild
Philip Wild
59, from Stockport, he worked as a taxi driver. He is charged with sexual assault, attempted rape, assault by penetration and conspiracy to rape.
The court has heard the husband was arrested in October 2025 after undercover journalists in Germany infiltrated a chat group on messaging app Telegram for people interested in sex with someone asleep or unconscious.
Authorities were alerted and an investigation was launched which identified the husband as one of the group users who had shared imagery of sexual abuse of his wife.
A mobile phone was seized from the address which was found to have a million photographs and videos said to have catalogued the abuse by the husband and other men.
The Crown compared the phone to a “confession booth” which contained the husband’s “darkest secrets”.
He initially took advantage of his wife, asleep or unconscious, through alcohol and took videos and images he shared online, the jury has heard.
His internet browsing history between 2014 and 2025 revealed extensive searches for medication and drugs.
From 2023 onwards, the Crown says he began inviting other men to the couple’s home, where it is alleged he and others sexually abused her while she lay “out of it” in their bed.
Alleged contact offenders, who visited the couple’s home to commit sexual offences, are: taxi driver Philip Wild, 59, of Stockport; recruitment agency worker Mohammed Sabir, 28, of Stockport; building supplies employee Jordan Wallace, 31, of Wythenshawe; industrial cleaning firm worker Alan Keelan, 42, from Wythenshawe; retiree Robert Stewart, 70, of Stockport; sheet metal worker Richard Townsend, 38, of Heywood, Greater Manchester; and senior paramedic Jonathan Kirk, 43, of Stockport.
The Crown says non-contact offenders, who “hid behind a screen” as they allegedly conspired to administer substances to the wife, are Graves and self-employed mechanic Daniel Rayner, 42, of Whitstable, Kent.
They all deny the allegations, including rape and conspiracy to rape, between 2015 and 2025.
Where to find help if you're a survivor of sexual assault in the North West
Greater Manchester Victims' Services
Greater Manchester Victims' Services
They provide emotional and practical support to anyone affected by crime and are a confidential service. The service can be contacted by visiting the website on www.gmvictims.org.uk or calling 0161 200 1950.
RASASC: Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre (Cheshire & Merseyside)
RASASC: Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre (Cheshire & Merseyside)
RASASC supports people who have been affected by rape or sexual abuse. It has offices in Chester, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Knowsley, Halton, Northwich, Macclesfield, St.Helens and Warrington, and also offers outreach support in locations across Cheshire and Merseyside.
You can call them on: 0330 363 0063
Young Person's Advisory Service (YPAS)
Young Person's Advisory Service (YPAS)
They support children, young people and families from three locations in Central, South and North Liverpool - covering Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, Wirral, and St Helens (Merseyside).
You can contact them on 0151 707 1025, or email support@ypas.org.uk
The Birchall Trust
The Birchall Trust
It offers one to one weekly counselling sessions to male and females of all ages who have experienced rape and/or sexual abuse in South Cumbria and North Lancashire.
You can phone them on 01229 820828 or email on enquiries@birchalltrust.org.uk
Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester
Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester
Provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by telephoning 0161 276 6515.
Greater Manchester Rape Crisis
Greater Manchester Rape Crisis
This is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk
We Are Survivors
We Are Survivors
They provides specialist trauma informed support to boys and men in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.