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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Claire Hayhurst and Josh Payne

Former Tory councillor convicted of drugging and raping wife for years admits making indecent images of children

A former Conservative councillor who previously admitted drugging and raping his now ex-wife has now pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children.

Philip Young, 49, appeared before Winchester Crown Court on Friday.

During a hearing at the court in January, he had entered guilty pleas to offences including rape, sexual assault, assault by penetration, and voyeurism.

The charges relate to his former wife, Joanne Young, who has waived her right to anonymity in connection with the case.

Young, formerly of Swindon but now of Enfield, also admitted multiple counts of administering a substance to his then wife with intent to stupefy her. All offences took place between 2010 and 2023.

He pleaded guilty to a further eight charges on Friday, including three charges of making indecent images of children and one of possessing prohibited images of children in July 2024.

The defendant, who appeared via video link from prison, also admitted four counts of possessing an extreme pornographic image between January 2019 and January 2024.

Judge Paul Dugdale told the court that Young’s pleas to all 56 charges against him meant he would not stand trial.

The charges include 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.

Young published more than 500 intimate images and videos of his ex-wife and recorded her doing private acts for his own sexual gratification without her consent between 2010 and 2024.

Five other men have previously appeared in court charged with sexual offences against Mrs Young.

Dean Hamilton, 47, of no fixed abode, has admitted one charge of assault by penetration, two of sexual assault and one of rape.

Norman Macksoni, 48, of Wood End Close in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, has denied one count of rape and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image.

Richard Wilkins, 61, of Toothill, Swindon, Wiltshire, has denied one count of rape and one of assault by penetration.

Connor Sanderson-Doyle, 31, of Crofton Road, Swindon, has denied sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault.

Mohammed Hassan, 37, of Torun Way in Swindon, has denied sexual touching.

Macksoni, Wilkins, Sanderson-Doyle and Hassan are due to stand trial on 5 October.

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