Karl Lindsay, 55, the former chief executive of Taunton Town Football Club, has denied charges of conspiring to rape and drug a woman along with 12 other men, including the woman’s husband. Lindsay, from Taunton, stepped down from his role at the non-league football club last year. The club publicly announced his resignation in November but did not provide further comment.
The woman’s husband, who is in his 60s and from Stockport in Greater Manchester, is due to stand trial at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester starting Tuesday. He faces multiple charges related to offences against his wife, including allegations of drugging her for sexual purposes spanning from 2004 to 2025. Due to legal restrictions aimed at protecting the victim’s identity, the husband cannot be named.
He has denied 11 counts of rape, two counts of attempted rape, seven counts of assault by penetration, four counts of sexual assault, as well as charges of conspiracy to rape (four counts), conspiracy to assault by penetration (three counts), conspiracy to administer a substance with intent, and administering a substance with intent.
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Alongside him, twelve other men are also charged with multiple sexual offences and will stand trial together. Among them are David Graves, 59, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, and Daniel Rayner, 42, from Whitstable, Kent, both denying charges of conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration, and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.
Other defendants and their pleas include:
- Graham Brougham, 73, of Northwich, Cheshire: Not guilty to rape, conspiracy to rape, and conspiracy to assault by penetration.
- Philip Wild, 58, of Stockport: Not guilty plea to attempted rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, and related conspiracy charges.
- Mohammed Sabir, 28, of Stockport: Denies three counts of rape, conspiracy to rape, and conspiracy to assault by penetration.
- Jonathan Kirk, 43, of Stockport: Denies rape and related conspiracy charges.
- Sean Peers, 38, of Stockport: Denies assault by penetration and conspiracy to assault by penetration.
- Jordan Wallace, 31, of Wythenshawe, Manchester: Denies rape, attempted rape, and conspiracy to rape.
- Alan Keelan, 42, of Wythenshawe, and Robert Stewart, 70, of Stockport: Both deny two counts of rape and conspiracy to rape.
- Richard Townsend, 37, of Heywood, Greater Manchester: Denies assault by penetration and conspiracy to assault by penetration.
The trial is anticipated to last approximately 12 weeks.