A man accused of conspiring with others to drug and rape his unconscious wife has admitted sexually assaulting her over a period of three years.

The man, in his 60s, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and 10 sexual offences at Minshull Street crown court in Manchester on Monday.

The defendant, who cannot be named, appeared emotional as he stood in the dock to enter his pleas, occasionally dabbing his face with a tissue.

He had previously pleaded not guilty to 48 charges over a 21-year period, including conspiring with others to drug his wife and rape her while she was unconscious.

But on Monday he changed his plea to admit two rapes, three sexual assaults, six assaults by penetration one count of sharing intimate images without consent. The 12 guilty pleas span from March 2022 to October 2025.

One of the guilty pleas involved sexually assaulting his wife with another man, in his 50s and from Dundee, in October 2024. The co-accused, who also cannot be named, admitted that offence at an earlier hearing.

The victim’s husband, who is from the Stockport area, is due to stand trial alongside 12 other men in September.

They face a range of allegations, including conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration, rape and sexual assault spanning from November 2004 to November 2025.

The age of the co-accused ranges from 28 to 73. Five are from Stockport, three from elsewhere in Greater Manchester, one from Cheshire and three from other parts of the UK.