Husband admits drugging and sexually abusing his wife for over 13 years

Former councillor Philip Young, 49, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges in front of his former wife Joanne Young at Winchester Crown Court as she waived her right to anonymity

A husband has admitted drugging and raping his now ex-wife over a 13-year period.

Philip Young, 49, pleaded guilty to multiple charges in front of his former spouse Joanne Young at Winchester Crown Court on Friday.

The former Tory councillor took 27 minutes to enter his guilty pleas to offences including rape, sexual assault, assault by penetration and voyeurism.

Young, formerly of Swindon, but now of Amberley Road, Enfield, also admitted multiple counts of administering a substance to his then-wife with intent to stupefy her – with all offences taking place between 2010 and 2023.

He admitted 48 of the 56 charges against him, pleading guilty to 14 counts of voyeurism, 11 of rape, 11 of administering a substance with intent, seven of assault by penetration, four of sexual assault and one of publishing obscene articles.

Young pleaded not guilty to eight further charges.

He denied three charges of making indecent images of children, alleged to have occurred in July 2024.

Young also pleaded not guilty to possessing a prohibited image and four charges of possessing an extreme pornographic image between January 2019 and January 2024.

Ms Young, 48, who previously waived her right to anonymity in connection with the case, sat in the court to listen to the guilty pleas, supported by her sister and a member of witness support.

Five other men also appeared in court on Friday, charged with sexual offences against Ms Young.

Norman Macksoni, of Wood End Close in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, 47, and Richard Wilkins, 61, of Toothill, Swindon, Wiltshire, both pleaded not guilty to one count of rape.

Dean Hamilton, 47, of no fixed abode, is yet to enter a plea to the same charge, as well as two counts of sexual assault and one count of assault by penetration.

Wilkins also pleaded not guilty to one charge of assault by penetration.

Connor Sanderson Doyle, 31, of Crofton Road, Swindon, pleaded not guilty to sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching.

Mohammed Hassan, 37, of Torun Way in Swindon, pleaded not guilty to sexual touching.

The five men were all granted bail and are due to stand trial on October 5.

James Foster, Specialist Prosecutor, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Philip Young has pleaded guilty to 48 serious sexual offences committed against his former wife, Joanne Young.

“We worked closely with Wiltshire Police to build a thorough and compelling case that resulted in him pleading guilty to dozens of offences today.”

Wiltshire Police Detective Superintendent Geoff Smith, the senior investigating officer in the Young case, paid tribute to Joanne Young’s “incredible bravery”.

He said: “Today’s hearing is a significant landmark, which has seen Philip Young admit to dozens of serious sexual offences against Joanne Young.

“I’d like to pay tribute to Jo for her incredible bravery throughout this process. She continues to be supported by specially trained officers.

“I’d also like to commend the investigation team for their relentless hard work in getting the case to this stage and thank the Crown Prosecution Service for their support in ensuring Young faces justice for his abhorrent actions.

“The wider case is now continuing through the courts and we have no further comment to make.”

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