Three more men accused of raping woman ‘after she had been drugged by husband’
Three more men have appeared in court accused of plotting to rape an unconscious woman who was allegedly drugged and sexually abused by her husband for more than 20 years.
The husband, who is aged in his 60s but cannot be named, denies 48 charges including rape, conspiracy to rape and administering a substance with intent to stupefy or overpower.
He is accused of drugging his wife so he could rape or sexually assault her, with allegations dating back two decades to the early 2000s.
Between 2023 and his arrest last year he is further alleged to have invited other men to abuse his wife while she was unconscious.
On Friday, three of his co-defendants, who also cannot be named, entered pleas at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court to the charges they faced.
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A man in his 50s pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to commit assault by penetration and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent to stupefy or overpower.
A man in his 40s denied rape, conspiracy to rape and conspiracy to commit assault by penetration.
A man in his 50s pleaded not guilty to assault by penetration, sexual assault and conspiracy to commit assault by penetration.
Last month, six other co-defendants also denied similar offences while one man in his 50s from Scotland pleaded guilty to assault by penetration, conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to commit assault by penetration and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent to stupefy or overpower.
Two of the 13 men charged in the investigation have yet to enter pleas.
Another case management hearing will take place on June 15 ahead of a trial scheduled for September 1.
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