Philip Young pleads guilty to drugging and raping wife

A former Conservative councillor has pleaded guilty to committing a string of sexual offences, including multiple counts of rape, against his wife over a 13-year period.

Philip Young admitted a number of charges against him, which also include administering a substance with intent to stupefy and voyeurism.

The 49-year-old, formerly of Swindon but now of Amberley Road in Enfield, denied eight counts related to making and possessing indecent images of children and possessing extreme images.

Four other men charged with sexual offences against Joanne Young, who has waived her legal right to anonymity, also appeared at Winchester Crown Court earlier and pleaded not guilty.

A fifth man who has been charged with rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault, will appear in court at a later date.

Philip Young, who is now divorced, served as a Conservative Swindon Borough councillor for Covingham and Nythe between 2007 and 2010.

He took 27 minutes to enter his guilty pleas to charges including rape, sexual assault, assault by penetration and voyeurism.

The offences are said to have taken place between 2010 and 2023.

His ex-wife, Joanne, 48, sat in court with her sister and a member of witness support.