Man charged with raping his wife with 12 others

A MAN has appeared in court alongside 12 others - accused of drugging and raping his unconscious wife over a number of years.

- BY ANDREW BARDSLEY

The man in his 60s, from Stockport, appeared before Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday and denied 48 charges, including rape, sexual assault, administering a noxious substance, and sharing an intimate photograph or video without consent.

His charges relate to a 20-year period. They are, in full: 18 counts of rape; 13 counts of assault by penetration; seven counts of sexual assault; four counts of conspiracy to rape; three counts of conspiracy to commit assault by penetration; conspiracy to administer a noxious substance; one count of administering a noxious substance; and one count of sharing an intimate photograph or video without consent.