A Crime That Shook Britain: Man Confesses to 60 Charges Including Drugging and Raping His Wife Over Two Decades

- A British man has admitted to drugging his wife and raping her without her knowledge for over two decades. The man pleaded guilty on Monday to dozens of charges at a court in Manchester, northern England, which included rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, and administering a substance with intent to commit a crime.

The identity of the man in his sixties cannot be disclosed to protect his wife's privacy. The man initially denied all the charges against him before admitting his guilt this summer to 5 counts of rape, 6 counts of assault by penetration, 3 counts of sexual assault, and one count related to sharing intimate images of his wife without her consent.

The man has now admitted guilt to a total of 60 charges. The wife attended the court session on Monday during his guilty plea.

Twelve other men, aged between 28 and 74 and from various regions in the UK, also face charges of committing sexual offenses against the same woman. These men have denied all the charges against them and will stand trial in Manchester.

The prosecution is expected to begin presenting its case this week. In a statement from Greater Manchester Police, Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson said on Monday that the focus of the police force "remains on supporting the victim of this horrific abuse campaign during what is expected to be an extremely complex investigation," adding that she continues to receive specialized support.