7 hours ago
1
Jonny HumphriesManchester Minshull Street Crown Court
EPA
A number of men are accused of sexually assaulting the woman while she was unconscious
A man has been charged with drugging and sexually abusing his unconscious wife alongside a number of other men.
The husband, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces 48 counts including conspiracy to rape, sexual assault by penetration and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent to commit a sexual offence.
The case involves 12 other men ranging in age from 28 to 73, and involves allegations dating back to the early 2000s.
The defendants appeared at Manchester Minshull Crown Court earlier where seven of the defendants including the woman's husband, aged in his 60s, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Some members of the woman's family attended the hearing and watched from the public gallery.
Five of the defendants were not asked to enter their pleas.
One man pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit rape, conspiracy to administer a substance with intent, conspiracy to commit sexual assault by penetration and one of committing sexual assault by penetration.
A further hearing will take place in March and a trial date has been set for 1 September, with an estimated duration of 12 weeks.
