Former Tory councillor admits indecent images of children, convicted of drugging and raping wife for years
A former Conservative councillor who has already admitted to a campaign of rape and sexual abuse against his ex-wife has now pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children, bringing the total number of charges against him to 56.
Philip Young, 49, appeared before Winchester Crown Court on Friday via video link from prison and entered guilty pleas to three charges of making indecent images of children and one of possessing a prohibited image of a child – all dating to July 2024. He also admitted four counts of possessing an extreme pornographic image between January 2019 and January 2024.
The court heard that the indecent images of children charges relate to material found in Young’s possession in July last year. Making an indecent image in law includes downloading, viewing or otherwise obtaining such material; the court was not told the specific category or number of images involved, but the charges cover the creation and possession of illegal depictions of child sexual abuse. The prohibited image charge refers to photographs or pseudo-photographs that are not indecent under existing laws but are nonetheless banned because they depict sexual violence or sexual acts with children. The four extreme pornographic image charges involve material that portrays, in an explicit and realistic way, acts that threaten a person’s life, result in serious injury, or involve sexual activity with an animal – all of which are illegal to possess in England and Wales.
Judge Paul Dugdale confirmed that Young’s guilty pleas to all 56 charges against him mean he will no longer face a trial. The full indictment includes 14 counts of voyeurism, 11 counts of rape, 11 counts of administering a substance with intent to stupefy or overpower to allow sexual activity, seven counts of assault by penetration, four counts of sexual assault, and one count of publishing an obscene article.
The obscene article charge relates to the publication – without consent – of more than 500 intimate images and videos of his ex-wife, Joanne Young, which he recorded for his own sexual gratification between 2010 and 2024. One voyeurism count alone covers at least 200 separate acts of recording her doing private acts.
Previous rape convictions detailed
Young’s earlier guilty pleas, entered at the same court in January, covered 48 of the 56 charges. Those pleas included 11 counts of rape, 11 counts of administering a substance with intent, 14 counts of voyeurism, seven counts of assault by penetration, and four counts of sexual assault – all committed against his former wife, Joanne Young, between 2010 and 2023. The administering of a substance charge means Young deliberately drugged her to make her unconscious or incapable of resisting sexual activity.
Joanne Young, 48, has waived her legal right to anonymity in connection with the case. She has been supported by specially trained officers throughout the investigation, which Wiltshire Police described as “complex and extensive”.
Young, formerly of Swindon but now residing in Enfield, north London, served as a Conservative councillor on Swindon borough council from 2007 to 2010, representing the Covingham and Nythe wards. He resigned as cabinet member for culture, regeneration and economic development in May 2010, saying he wished to devote more time to his family and run his own business. A graduate of the University of Westminster, he later held executive roles including chief operating officer at the consultancy firm Pracedo.
Other co-accused men
Five other men have been charged in connection with alleged sexual offences against Joanne Young. Their cases remain ongoing.
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. Police have previously appealed for help in identifying another man wanted in connection with the case.
