Former Tory councillor in court accused of drugging and raping ex-wife | UK news

A former Tory councilor appeared in court accused of drugging and raping his ex-wife over a 13-year period.

Philip Young, 49, and five other men were charged with more than 60 counts of rape and sexual offenses against 48-year-old Joanne Young. Joanne Young can be named as the alleged victim because she waived the right to anonymity that otherwise applies in such cases.

Young, described by police as a white British man, appeared at Swindon magistrates’ court on Tuesday charged with 56 offences, including multiple rapes and drugging his ex-partner.

He is also accused of voyeurism, possessing indecent images of children and possessing extreme images.

He was remanded in custody and will appear at Swindon crown court on January 23.

Young, who wore dark blue jeans and a black sweater during the brief hearing, spoke to confirm his name and address. He nodded when asked if he wanted to enter a defense at this stage.

Prosecutor Keith Ballinger said Young faced “a range of allegations”, some of which were merely indictments, and requested the case be sent to the crown court.

Paul Dillon, defending Young, added: “In the circumstances, sir, there is nothing to add.”

The chairman of the delegation, Martin Clarke, told the defendant: “Your cases are only trials, so they can only be heard in the crown court. That’s why we’re sending all these matters to the crown court. You’re being held in custody until a certain time. Do you understand?”

Young replied: “Yes.”

Young, formerly of Swindon, Wiltshire, and now of Enfield, north London, was a Conservative councilor on Swindon borough council from 2007 to 2010.

The five other people charged in the case are expected to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon. These:

• Norman Macksoni, 47, a black British citizen living in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, is charged with one count of rape and possession of extreme images.

• Dean Hamilton, 46, a white British man of no fixed abode, was charged with one count of rape and sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual touching.

• Conner Sanderson Doyle, 31, of Swindon, described as White British, was charged with sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching.

• Richard Wilkins, 61, a white British man from Toothill, Swindon, was charged with one count of rape and sexual contact.

• Mohammed Hassan, 37, of Swindon, described by police as British Asian, was charged with sexual touching.

Police released the ethnicity of each person charged Monday.

The crimes are alleged to have been committed between 2010 and 2023.

The charges against Young include 11 counts of rape; seven counts of sexual assault by penetration; four counts of sexual contact; 11 counts of administering a substance with the intent to stun or overpower someone to allow sexual activity; 13 cases of voyeurism specific to videos and voyeurism in at least 200 other cases; and possession of 230 indecent images of children, 139 of which were category A.

He is also accused of violating section 1 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 at least 500 times.