A British man has been charged with drugging and raping his now ex-wife over 13 years, and five other men have also been charged with sexually assaulting her during that period, U.K. police said Monday.
Philip Young, 49, faces 56 charges including counts of rape, administering a substance with intent to stupefy or overpower to allow sexual activity, voyeurism, possession of extreme images and indecent images of children. He is due to appear in court in Swindon, a town in southwest England, on Tuesday.
The alleged victim, named in a news release as 48-year-old Joanne Young, waived her right to anonymity, police said.
“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,” Detective Superintendent Geoff Smith said in the release.
According to police, Philip Young formerly lived in Swindon and now resides in Enfield, in north London.
Five other men are also accused of assaulting Joanne Young between 2010 and 2023. Norman Macksoni, 47, of Sharnbrook is charged with rape and possession of extreme images. Dean Hamilton, 47, of no fixed address, is charged with rape and sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual touching. Conner Sanderson Doyle, 31, of Swindon is charged with sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching. Richard Wilkins, 61, of Swindon is charged with rape and sexual touching. Mohammed Hassan, 37, is charged with sexual touching.
Smith said the charges are the result of a “complex and extensive investigation.” No further details about the alleged offenses were released by police.
“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to charge and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings,” James Foster, a specialist prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said in the news release.
Philip Young, the victim’s ex-husband, served as a Conservative Party councillor for Swindon from 2007 to 2010, the BBC reported.
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