Drug rape husband told contact he ‘understands consent’, court told
A man who drugged and raped his wife for more than 20 years told an online contact he “understands consent”, a jury has heard.
The husband pleaded guilty in September to multiple offences dating from 2004 including rape and administering a substance with intent.
He will give evidence this month against nine men on trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
From 2023 onwards, the Crown say the husband began inviting other men to the couple’s home, where it is alleged he and others sexually abused her while she lay unconscious and “out of it” in their bed.
On Wednesday 11 November, prosecutors continued to read online messages the husband exchanged with various individuals – some unknown – from the UK and abroad, who he shared imagery of his abuse with.
In a conversation with contact Z in 2022, the husband said: “Like her?”
Contact Z said: “Yep.”
The husband said: “Would you play with her passed out?”
Contact Z replied: “Not without consent.”
The husband said: “Mine or hers?”
Contact Z said: “Both.”
The husband said: “If she is passed out how?”
Contact Z said: “Pre-arranged as she knows it’s going to happen.”
The husband said: “Okay so I tell you it’s pre-arranged.”
Contact Z said: “If I’m going to be potentially having sex with her I need to have her consent mate.
“I need to hear it. Otherwise it’s rape.”
The husband said: “Yeah I get it. Understand.”
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 one 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.
The husband in his 60s from Stockport, Greater Manchester, who cannot be identified to protect his wife’s anonymity, will be sentenced at a later date.
Alleged contact offenders, said to have 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 say non-contact offenders, who “hid behind a screen” as they allegedly conspired to administer substances to the wife, are kitchen firm sales rep David Graves, 60, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, 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.