Former Tory councillor admits drugging and raping wife over 14-year period | UK news
A former Conservative councilor has admitted nearly 50 crimes involving drugging, raping and sexually assaulting his ex-wife over 14 years.
Philip Young, 49, pleaded guilty at Winchester Crown Court to 11 counts of rape and 11 counts of administering the substance to his ex-wife Joanne Young, 48, with intent to dazzle her.
Philip Young, of Enfield, also admitted 14 counts of voyeurism, including a single count covering at least 200 acts of voyeurism; seven assaults by influence; at least 500 counts of four counts of sexual assault and one count of publishing obscene articles.
Sitting across from her ex-husband in courtroom 2, Joanne Young was complaining from every angle.
Philip Young, wearing a gray prison jumper, pleaded not guilty to three counts of producing indecent images of children, one count of possessing prohibited images and four counts of possessing extreme pornographic images.
The crimes are alleged to have been committed between 2010 and 2024.
Young and five other people appeared in court on Friday in connection with the alleged crimes against Joanne Young.
Connor Sanderson-Doyle, 31, of Swindon, pleaded not guilty to sexual assault and assault by penetration; Norman Macksoni, 47, of Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, pleaded not guilty to rape and possession of an extreme pornographic image; Richard Wilkins, 61, of Toothill, Swindon, pleaded not guilty to assault by penetration and rape; and Mohammed Hassan, 37, of Swindon, pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.
Dean Hamilton, 47, of Compton Dundon in Somerset, is charged with assault by penetration, two counts of sexual assault and rape. He hasn’t entered defense yet.
While Young was arrested, the other five defendants were released on bail. A tentative hearing date has been set for October 5.
Det Supt Geoff Smith of Wiltshire police, the senior investigating officer on the case, praised Joanne Young’s “incredible bravery”.
He said: “Today’s hearing is a significant milestone which sees Philip Young admitting dozens of serious sexual offenses against Joanne Young. I would like to express my gratitude to Jo for her incredible bravery throughout this process. She continues to be supported by specially trained police officers.”
“I would also like to thank the investigation team for their relentless hard work in bringing the case to this stage and thank the Crown Prosecution Service for their support in ensuring Young faces justice for his heinous actions.
“The broader litigation is currently ongoing in the courts and we have no further comment to make.”
Born in Enfield in June 1976, Young graduated from the University of Westminster in 1998. He served as a Conservative councilor on Swindon district council from 2007 to 2010.
He resigned as cabinet member for culture, regeneration and economic development on 6 May 2010 to devote more time to his family and run his own business, according to the Swindon Advertiser. “When we’re trying to balance all of this, family and work, I don’t think it’s fair for my family to put them at the bottom of their priority list,” he told the paper at the time.
He had also appeared on-air in September 2009 after giving birth to his son while his wife was in labor at the family home.
Young has been a director of many companies since 2010. He most recently served as chief operating officer at Pracedo, a consulting firm.
