Mechanic offered 'special serum' to man who drugged and raped wife, court hears

A mechanic accused of plotting to drug and rape a man's wife offered a "special serum" to make her unconscious, a court has heard.

Daniel Rayner, 42, of Whitstable, Kent, is one of nine men on trial who face various allegations in relation to sexual offending against the woman.

The woman's husband, who's in his 60s and cannot be identified to protect his wife's anonymity, has pleaded guilty to dozens of offences dating back to 2004, including rape and administering a substance with intent to commit a sexual offence.

At the couple's home in Stockport, Greater Manchester, the husband took images and videos of the abuse while she was "out of it" on their bed and shared them online, the jury heard.

Prosecutors read out an exchange between the husband and Rayner, which they said took place on the Telegram app in 2024.

Rayner is said to have messaged: "Hi mate. How's it going? I've just got back on here. Hope you still having fun with your sexy wife?"

The husband replied: "When I get the chance."

Rayner came back with: "I'd love to give you some of my special serum to see her totally out of it for a while.

"Have you taken any pics or vids recently mate? I've lost all the groups you posted her in.

"I can't seem to find any of the sleep groups any more. Do they still exist or have they changed names or gone private?"

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard that Rayner, a few months later, told the husband he could get GHB, often referred to as a "date-rape drug".

The husband wrote: "It's a shame you're so far away" - to which Rayner allegedly replied: "Always willing to drive for some fun."

The court heard that in 2022 Rayner had bought a "sleeping liquid" labelled as "hair serum" from a website selling sexual wellness products and sleep aids.

Items available - listed in English and Chinese - were said to include "amnesiac properties so no memory during sleeping process and no side effects".

Rayner allegedly bought more bottles of the substance the following year.

The 42-year-old denies rape, conspiracy to assault by penetration, and conspiracy to administer a substance with intent.

The husband was arrested in October 2025 after German journalists infiltrated a Telegram group for people interested in sex with someone asleep or unconscious.

A phone seized from his address is said to have contained one million photographs and videos of the abuse by him and other men.

His internet browsing history between 2014 and 2025 also revealed many searches for medication and drugs, the jury heard.

He will give evidence against the defendants later this month in court.

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Alleged contact offenders, said to have visited his home to commit sexual offences including rape, are:

Philip Wild, 59, of Stockport; Mohammed Sabir, 28, of Stockport; Jordan Wallace, 31, of Wythenshawe; Alan Keelan, 42, from Wythenshawe; Robert Stewart, 70, of Stockport; Richard Townsend, 38, of Heywood, Greater Manchester; and Jonathan Kirk, 43, of Stockport.

Non-contact offenders, who allegedly "hid behind a screen", are Rayner and kitchen firm sales rep David Graves, 60, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

All nine deny the allegations.

Four other men have admitted offences. They are: Graham Brougham, 74, from Northwich, Cheshire; Sean Peers, 38, from Stockport; Keith Fotheringham, 59, from Dundee, and Karl Lindsay, 56, from Taunton, Somerset.

(c) Sky News 2026: Mechanic offered 'special serum' to man who drugged and raped wife, court hears