A man accused of drugging and raping his ex-wife over a 13-year period has been remanded in custody after appearing in court on Tuesday morning.
Philip Young, 49, was charged with 56 sexual offences alleged to have been committed against Joanne Young, including multiple counts of rape and administering a substance with intent to stupefy.
The 48-year-old alleged victim waived her legal right to anonymity, asking that she be named in coverage of the case.
Appearing in courtroom 3 at Swindon Magistrates’ Court, in front of more than 10 members of the press and a packed public gallery, Mr Young spoke only to confirm his name and provide his home address in Enfield.
Mr Young, formerly from Swindon, appeared in the dock unshaven and wearing a black fleece with jeans. He sat cross-armed for most of the 10-minute hearing.
Asked if he wished to enter a plea on the charges, which also include voyeurism and possession of indecent images of children, he said “No.”
Mr Martin Clarke, chair of the bench, told Mr Young that the charges were too serious to be dealt with at the magistrates’ court, and that his case would be sent to Swindon Crown Court, with a hearing set for 23 January.
Addressing Mr Young, Mr Clarke said: “You understand everything that has happened here this morning... Very short and sweet. We are sending [this case] to crown court. You are remanded in custody until that particular time.”
Mr Young did not react as the dock officer handcuffed him and took him to the cells.
He is one of six men charged with offences allegedly committed against Ms Young between 2010 and 2023.
On Tuesday afternoon, five other men appeared at the same court accused of committing sexual offences against Ms Young. Two pleaded not guilty to the charges they faced, while the other three gave no plea.
With only four seats in the dock, not all of the accused were able to sit down as they lined up to face Mr Clarke during the short proceedings.
- Norman Macksoni, 47, of Wood End Close, Sharnbrook, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and possession of extreme images
- Dean Hamilton, 47, of Street Road, Compton Dundon, Somerset, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual touching
- Conner Sanderson Doyle, 31, of Crofton Road, Swindon, entered no plea to charges of sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching
- Richard Wilkins, 61, of Tattershall, Toothill, Swindon, also did not enter a plea to charges of one count of rape and sexual touching
- Mohammed Hassan, 37, of Torun Way, Swindon did not indicate a plea to a charge of sexual touching
Mr Clarke told the defendants their respective indictments were “inextricably linked” and would be sent to the crown court together with that of Mr Young, to be heard next month.
All were released on conditional bail, and none of them showed any reaction as they left the court building.
Police are trying to identify another man in connection with the case, and have appealed to the public for help. The man, seen in images taken in 2022, is of large build and has a distinctive tattoo on the left side of his chest.
Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Geoff Smith said: “This is a significant investigation with multiple suspects. We appreciate the graphic nature of these images and that they may be triggering to some people, however, we need the public’s help to identify this man.
“It is unknown whether he lives in Swindon or is from outside the county, which is why we request that this is shared as widely as possible to assist our bid to identify him.”
Anyone who recognises the man should call 101 and quote reference number 54240080286.
