Four men go on trial accused of sexually assaulting drugged ex-wife of former councillor

Summary

Jurors have been selected at Winchester crown court for the trial of four men accused of sexually assaulting Joanne Young, the ex-wife of a former Conservative councillor. Mr Justice Saini warned the eight men and six women on the jury that the case is likely to be upsetting. Her former husband, Philip Young, 50, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges of abuse against her, and Joanne Young has waived her right to anonymity. The four men are charged with sexually assaulting her while she was sedated, restrained and blindfolded. Winchester crown court heard that Young advertised his then wife on dating and swinging websites, presenting it as a 'kink' for both of them, and posted images of her online while seeking strangers to assault her.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   26 Oct 2026, 17:51 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that jurors were selected at Winchester crown court for the trial of four men accused of sexually assaulting the ex-wife of a former Conservative councillor, and that Mr Justice Saini warned them the case is likely to be upsetting.

2. BBC

   27 Oct 2026, 14:28 UTCSource ↗

   The BBC reports that four men are standing trial after the woman's ex-husband pleaded guilty to drugging and raping her, and that the court was told he had drugged and advertised her online.

3. The Straits Times

   27 Oct 2026, 14:55 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Philip Young posted images of his wife online and sought strangers to assault her, the court heard.

4. The Guardian

   27 Oct 2026, 15:29 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Philip Young advertised his then wife, Joanne Young, on dating and swinging websites as a 'kink' for both of them, and that the four men are charged with sexually assaulting her while she was sedated, restrained and blindfolded.