Former councillor pleads guilty to drugging and raping ex-wife over a 13-year period

Young, who is a former Conservative councillor, admitted to 11 counts of rape, 11 counts of administering a substance with intent to stupefy, 14 counts of voyeurism, 7 counts of assault by penetration, 4 counts of sexual assault, and one count of publishing obscene articles.

The offences took place between 2010 and 2023. Young served as a Tory councillor in the Swindon borough of Covingham and Nythe between 2007 and 2010.

Young pleaded not guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, one count of possession of prohibited images and four counts of possessing extreme pornographic images.

He wore a grey sweatshirt and appeared emotionless as he entered his pleas.

Young glanced over at his ex-partner, who sat in court to watch his arraignment.

He was then remanded back into custody.

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

Norman Macksoni, 47, of Wood End Close in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and one count of possession of extreme pornographic images.

Meanwhile, Richard Wilkins, 61, of Toothill, Swindon, has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and one count of assault by penetration.

And Connor Sanderson Doyle, 31, of Crofton Road, Swindon, has pleaded not guilty to one count of assault by penetration and sexual assault.

Mohammed Hassan, 37, of Torun Way in Swindon, has pleaded not guilty to one count sexual assault.

And Dean Hamilton, 47, of no fixed abode, is accused of one count of rape, one count of sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual touching. He was not asked to enter his plea.

Macksoni, Hamilton, Wilkins, Doyle and Hassan have all been released on bail.

A trial, expected to last ten weeks, is due to begin in October.

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.”

In addition, Wiltshire Police have released images of a man they are seeking to identify in connection with the investigation into sexual offences against Joanne Young.

The force describes the man as being of large build, with scarring on the back of his head and a distinctive tattoo on the left side of his chest.

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