LONDON, England – A former Conservative councillor has pleaded guilty to drugging and raping his now ex-wife over a period spanning more than a decade, in one of the most serious domestic sexual abuse cases heard in recent years in England.
Philip Young, 49, admitted to 48 criminal offences against Joanne Young between 2010 and 2024. Ms Young, 48, has waived her legal right to anonymity.
The offences include multiple counts of rape, sexual assault, voyeurism and administering substances to stupefy his former wife in order to carry out sexual activity.
Some of the offences were allegedly committed alongside other men.
Young, who served as a Conservative Swindon borough councillor in Wiltshire between 2007 and 2010, entered his guilty pleas at Winchester Crown Court, a process that took nearly half an hour as the charges were read aloud.
He admitted to:
- 11 counts of rape
- Seven counts of sexual assault by penetration
- Four counts of sexual touching
- 11 counts of administering a substance with intent to stupefy or overpower
- 14 counts of voyeurism
- Publishing obscene articles
Prosecutors told the court that one voyeurism charge alone covered at least 200 occasions over 14 years.
Young also admitted to sharing non-consensual intimate images and videos of his ex-wife on no fewer than 500 occasions.
The ex-wife, who divorced him following his arrest in 2024, sat in court opposite the dock, supported by her sister and a witness support officer.
Young appeared wearing a grey sweater and confirmed his identity before pleading guilty.
He denied eight additional charges, including allegations relating to indecent and prohibited images of children and possession of extreme pornography.
Young has been remanded in custody at Bullingdon prison.
Five other men also appeared in court accused of sexual offences against her.
Four pleaded not guilty, while a fifth is yet to enter pleas. Judge Angela Morris, the Recorder of Winchester, released the five men ahead of a trial scheduled to begin on October 5 and expected to last up to six weeks.
Crown Prosecution Service specialist prosecutor James Foster said Young’s guilty pleas followed a detailed investigation.
“Philip Young has pleaded guilty to 48 serious sexual offences committed against his former wife,” Foster said, adding that prosecutors had worked closely with Wiltshire Police to build a “thorough and compelling case”.
Wiltshire Police Detective Superintendent Geoff Smith praised her “incredible bravery” throughout the investigation.
“This hearing marks a significant moment, with Philip Young admitting to dozens of serious sexual offences,” Smith said. “Jo continues to be supported by specially trained officers.”
Police have also appealed for help in identifying another suspect linked to the case, describing him as a man of large build with distinctive scarring and a chest tattoo.
Officers urged members of the public to come forward, acknowledging that the released images may be distressing.
