Husband pleads guilty to drugging and raping ex-wife with five other men accused of sexual crimes against her

Warning: This article contains discussion of rape which some readers may find distressing.

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

Philip Young, 49, pleaded guilty to multiple charges against Joanne Young, 48, who has waived her right to anonymity, at Winchester Crown Court on Friday (23 January).

He was initially charged with 56 offences back in December and took just 27 minutes to enter his guilty pleas.

Young admitted 48 of the 56 charges, 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.

He pleaded not guilty to eight further charges.

Philip Young pleaded guilty to multiple charges against his ex-wife (Getty Stock Images)

However, the five other men who have been accused of sexual offences against Ms Young have either entered not guilty pleas, or are yet to do so.

Norman Macksoni, 47, and Richard Wilkins, 61, both pleaded not guilty to one count of rape. Conner Sanderson Doyle, 31, pleaded not guilty to sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching.

Mohammed Hassan, 37, pleaded not guilty to sexual touching, while Dean Hamilton, 47, is yet to enter a plea to the same charge.

Young also admitted multiple counts of administering a substance to his then-wife with intent to stupefy her, with all the offences taking place between 2010 and 2023.

Ms Young sat facing her former husband in the courtroom as he confessed to nearly 50 offences.

Wiltshire Police detective superintendent Geoff Smith said in a statement in December that the case against Young and his co-defendants stemmed from a 'complex and extensive investigation'.

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

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.