A former Conservative councillor has been remanded in custody after appearing in court accused of a string of sexual offences against his ex-wife spanning more than a decade.
Philip Young, 49, faced Swindon Magistrates' Court charged with 56 offences, including multiple rape counts and drugging his former spouse, Joanne Young.
The alleged crimes are said to have occurred between 2010 and 2023.
Ms Young, 48, has chosen to waive her legal right to anonymity.
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Young, who previously represented the Covingham and Nythe ward on Swindon Borough Council from 2007 to 2010, confirmed only his name and address during the hearing.
He did not enter any pleas.
Young faces 11 counts of rape, seven counts of sexual assault by penetration, and four counts of sexual touching.
He is also accused of administering a substance with intent to stupefy on 11 separate occasions.
Philip Young, 49, faced Swindon Magistrates' Court charged with 56 offences, including multiple rape counts and drugging his former spouse, Joanne Young
|PA
The voyeurism allegations are extensive, with 13 specific video-related counts and at least 200 other occasions.
He is also charged with possessing indecent images of children across multiple categories – 139 at Category A, 68 at Category B, and 23 at Category C.
Young also faces charges relating to 82 extreme images and breaching the Obscene Publications Act on at least 500 occasions.
Five other men also appeared at the same court facing sexual offence charges against Ms Young.
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Dean Hamilton, Richard WIlkins, Norman Maksoni and Connor Sanderson Doyle (left to right) enter court
|PA
Norman Macksoni, 47, from Sharnbrook in Bedfordshire, denied one rape charge and possession of extreme images.
Dean Hamilton, 47, also pleaded not guilty to rape, sexual assault by penetration, and two counts of sexual touching.
Connor Sanderson Doyle, 31, Richard Wilkins, 61, and Mohammed Hassan, 37 – all from Swindon – did not enter pleas to their respective charges.
Sanderson Doyle faces sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching, while Wilkins is charged with rape and sexual touching. Hassan faces a single sexual touching charge.
All five were granted conditional bail and forbidden from any contact with Ms Young.
The whole group is scheduled to appear at Swindon Crown Court on January 23 for their next hearing.
Meanwhile, Wiltshire Police have confirmed they're still hunting for another man linked to the investigation.
Officers are working from images captured between April and May 2022.
They've described the suspect as having a large build, scarring on the back of his head, prominent lips, and a hairy body.
He's said to be balding with short or shaved hair and has a distinctive tattoo on the left side of his chest.
Anyone who recognises this description is urged to contact the police immediately.
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