// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Husband who drugged and raped wife for 20 years no longer part of trial
The trial is being held at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester
A man who drugged and raped his wife for more than 20 years without her knowledge will no longer be involved in a trial involving other defendants, a jury has heard.
The husband, aged in his 60s and from the Stockport area of Greater Manchester, has admitted a total of 60 offences against the woman including rape, assault by penetration, administering a substance with intent and sharing indecent images without her consent.
Twelve other men are still due to go on trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court accused of serious sexual offences - including rape - against the same woman.
The nine women and three men of the jury, plus two female reserve jurors, have been asked to return to court on 5 October.
The court has heard the husband, who cannot be named to protect his wife's legal right to anonymity, has admitted abusing his wife since 2004.
He had already pleaded guilty to 15 offences against her going back to 2022, but admitted to a further 45 counts on Monday.
His wife, who was comforted by other members of her family, watched from the public gallery as he answered "guilty" to dozens of charges.
From left: Graham Brougham, Alan Keelan, Sean Peers, Jonathan Kirk and Jordan Wallace, along with seven others, will still be tried
The other defendants in the case are alleged to have sexually abused her since September 2018.