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.

The other defendants in the case are alleged to have sexually abused her since September 2018.

A 14th man has also pleaded guilty to sexual offences against the woman.

On Wednesday morning the court heard that when the jurors were sworn in on 4 September they were given a questionnaire which included a short summary of the prosecution case.

Trial judge Maurice Greene told them: “You were told, amongst other things, that the prosecution case concerns allegations of sexual offences by a number of men on a female.

“You were told 14 men had been identified and one was [her husband].

“No doubt you will be wondering why you have not been back since.

“Some of you may have seen or heard on the news on Monday that a man from Stockport had pleaded guilty to drugging and raping his wife, and had admitted multiple offences including rape, attempted rape, sexual assault and administering a substance with intent.

“Now his identity is prohibited in the public domain to protect [his wife’s] identity. Logical and obvious you may think.

“Of course the man who pleaded guilty was [the husband], so he will no longer be a defendant in this case. As a result of these pleas there is work to be done by parties in this case.”

The other accused men are:

Judge Greene told the jury he expected the prosecution to open the case on 5 October and that the trial should be completed by 18 December.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, external, X, external, and Instagram, external. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.