UK man accused of drugging and sexually abusing wife for two decades faces trial with 12 others

A British man in his 60s from Stockport, England, is standing trial in Manchester starting today, accused of drugging and sexually abusing his wife for over two decades. He faces 48 counts of sexual offences dating back to 2004. The prosecution reports he has admitted to 15 charges, including five rapes, six sexual assaults by penetration, three sexual assaults, and one count of distributing intimate images without consent. He denies the remaining 33 charges. Twelve other men, aged 28 to 73, from across the UK, are also on trial, accused of participating in or facilitating the abuse. They all deny the allegations. The trial is expected to last about 12 weeks. The man's name is withheld to protect the victim's identity.