EX-SOMERSET FOOTBALL CEO ONE OF 13 ACCUSED OF HELPING RAPIST HUSBAND ABUSE HIS WIFE
A former chief executive of Taunton Town Football Club is among 13 men who are set to stand trial in the United Kingdom for their involvement in what has been described as the country's largest case to date concerning a husband accused of sedating his wife and inviting other men to sexually assault her over a span of 20 years.This case was disclosed today, Friday, June 26, during a court session reported by the Manchester Evening News, following the lifting of reporting restrictions.
Karl Lindsay, who stepped down from his role at the non-league football club last year, is one of 14 individuals charged; 13 of these will face trial in September in connection with what authorities have called "a complicated investigation into alleged drug-assisted sexual abuse." Manchester police have chosen not to identify the main suspect to protect the identity of his wife, who is the sole victim in this situation.
The man, in his 60s and from Stockport, is accused of collaborating with others to drug his wife and sexually assault her while she was unconscious.
He has admitted to five counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, six counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sharing intimate images or videos.
He has previously denied 48 charges, including 16 counts of rape, with allegations spanning a 20-year period.
During a hearing held earlier this week, the defendant pleaded guilty to 15 of the 48 charges.
His admissions include five counts of rape; three counts of sexual assault; six counts of assault by penetration; and one count of sharing explicit images or videos.
He denies that he drugged his wife.
Most of the other 13 accused are from the Greater Manchester area, though some hail from locations as distant as Kent and Scotland.
One of those charged and scheduled for trial is Lindsay.
The 55-year-old, residing on Wordsworth Drive in Taunton, faces one count of conspiracy to commit rape, one count of conspiracy to perform assault by penetration, and one count of conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.
Lindsay has entered a plea of not guilty to all the charges against him.
