The Stockport man who drugged, raped and sexually assaulted his wife “found a large number” of the “many, many men whose fantasy is an unconscious and unresponsive woman” to allegedly participate in her abuse, a court has heard.

Nine men are on trial at Manchester Minshull Street crown court, accused of either participating in the abuse, which took place at the couple’s home, or encouraging it online.

The husband, in his 60s, has pleaded guilty to multiple offences against his wife, committed over more than 20 years. He cannot be named in order to protect the anonymity of his victim.

On the second day of the prosecution case, Louise Oakley KC told the jury the husband had met the first defendant, Robert Stewart, 70, who also lived in Stockport, Greater Manchester, on Craigslist in 2015.

His interaction with Stewart was “to be his blueprint for future offending”, the jury was told.…