Ex-Tory councillor who advertised drugged wife for sex said 'risk is a great thrill', court hears

A former councillor who placed adverts online for men to have sex with his wife told a man accused of sexually abusing her that the “risk is a great thrill”, a court has heard.

Philip Young has pleaded guilty to multiple charges of drugging and sexually abusing his wife, Joanne Young, during a 13-year period at their home in Swindon, Wiltshire.

Four other men are on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of sexually abusing her.

Mohammed Hassan, 38, of Swindon, has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual touching of Ms Young in February 2023.

The trial has heard that Ms Young remembered feeling another man’s hand while restrained and wearing a blindfold during the incident involving Hassan and managed to flee to the en-suite bathroom.

The court was told that Young had placed 20 adverts on Craigslist, inviting men to have sex with his wife.

The court also heard that in a message to Hassan, Young said: “I had a vasectomy a while ago so she is completely unprotected.

“The thought of a slight risk is a great thrill for us. If anything did happen we know nothing about you so there would be no comeback.”

In another message, after the alleged incident involving Hassan, Young wrote to him: “Hey mate, sorry about last night. It’s the first time we did it and she freaked out a bit. She asked me to apologise and wants me to tell you that maybe this isn’t for her.”

The jury was told that Young also sent a message to his wife apologising after he admitted to her that he had invited another man to their bedroom without her knowledge.

He wrote: “Would you rather tell your dad I’m not well and I will stay here out of the way? I don’t know what to do with the hurt I have caused.

“I am devastated at what I have done and I am heartbroken at what I did to you. I can’t say sorry enough but I know it’s inadequate.”

Edward Culver, prosecuting, told the court that analysis of Young’s devices uncovered 300 emails between him and other persons between 2015 and 2019 and he also created 20 advertisements on Craigslist.

Young also posted on other sites including Grindr and Fab swingers with the username London Monkey, the court heard.

Mr Culver added that 480 images of Ms Young “in a state of undress” with the majority “not with knowledge or consent” although he said for a minority “it’s unclear from the photos whether she knew or consented to them being taken”.

The prosecuting junior counsel also told the court that police had attended Young’s home in 2015 after Border Force had intercepted a pack of a class C controlled medication which had been sent from India and which can be used as a sedative and is a known date rape drug.

The jury was also told that Young was also prescribed a sedative drug for a sleeping problem.

Ms Young has waived her right to anonymity.

The other three defendants in the trial, who have been charged jointly with Young, are Norman Macksoni, 48, of Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, who has denied one count of rape; and Richard Wilkins, 62, of Toothill, Swindon, Wiltshire, who has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and one of assault by penetration.

Connor Sanderson-Doyle, 32, of Swindon, has also denied sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching.

Young, 50, has pleaded guilty to a total of 56 charges, and a sixth defendant, Dean Hamilton, 47, of Street, Somerset, has admitted one charge of assault by penetration, two of sexual assault and one of rape.