UK man, five others accused of sex offences against ex-wife appear in court

SWINDON, UNITED KINGDOM - A British man accused of drugging and raping his ex-wife over 13 years, and five other men charged with various sexual offences against her, appeared Tuesday in a UK court.

Philip Young spoke only to confirm his name and other details when he appeared separately at Swindon Magistrates Court, west of London, for his first hearing.

The 49-year-old, reportedly a former Conservative councillor, was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing at Swindon Crown Court on January 23.

He was not required to enter a plea at this stage.

He is charged with 56 offences, including rape and administering a substance with intent to stupify his 48-year-old former spouse, Joanne Young, who has waived her legal right to anonymity.

Voyeurism, possession of indecent images of children and possession of extreme images are among the other charges filed against Young.

The alleged offences occurred between 2010 and 2023.

Later Tuesday, five other men -- aged 31 to 61 -- appeared in the same magistrates' courtroom to hear the charges against them.

All their cases were also referred to the Crown Court to be heard together with Young's on January 23.

Norman Macksoni, 47, who faces two counts, including one of rape, and Dean Hamilton, 47, who is accused of rape, sexual assault by penetration and two sexual touching charges, both pleaded not guilty.

Richard Wilkins, 61, charged with rape and sexual touching, and Conner Sanderson Doyle, who faces sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching counts, did not enter pleas.

Mohammed Hassan, 37, accused of a single sexual touching offence, also opted not to enter a plea at this stage.

The five were released on conditional bail and ordered not to contact each other, Young or the victim, among other conditions.

They left the court separately, without making any comments, passing by news photographers.

Wiltshire Police detective superintendent Geoff Smith said in a statement Monday that the charges stemmed from "a complex and extensive investigation".

"The victim in this case, Joanne, has taken the decision to waive her automatic legal right to anonymity," he added.

"She has been supported by specially trained officers from the beginning of the process and she has made the decision following multiple discussions with officers and support services."

The accusations come after the high-profile case in France in 2024 of Dominique Pelicot, who for years secretly drugged his wife, Gisele, and invited scores of men to rape her while she was unconscious.