Man admits rape of former councillor's ex-wife

A man has pleaded guilty to raping the ex-wife of a former councillor.

Dean Hamilton, 46, is one of six men accused of more than 60 offences in total against Joanne Young, 48, who has waived her right to anonymity.

Hamilton, of no fixed abode, admitted to rape, two counts of sexual assault and assault by penetration during a hearing at Winchester Crown Court earlier.

Young's ex-husband, former Conservative councillor Philip Young, has pleaded guilty to 48 offences, including rape and administering a substance with intent to stupefy her.

Judge Christopher Parker KC granted Hamilton, whose offences were carried out in 2015, conditional bail ahead of sentencing at a later date.

He told him to expect a "very lengthy prison sentence in due course".

Philip Young was a Conservative councillor for Swindon Borough Council between 2007 and 2010.

He was arrested in 2024 and the couple divorced in the same year.

When he appeared in court in January, he pleaded guilty to charges including rape, sexual assault, assault by penetration and voyeurism.

The offences took place between 2010 and 2023.

Young, formerly of Swindon but now living in Enfield in London, admitted publishing more than 500 intimate images and videos of his ex-wife.

He additionally admitted recording her doing private acts for his own sexual gratification without her consent.

Young pleaded not guilty to eight further charges.

Four other men have appeared in court charged with sexual offences against Ms Young.

Norman Macksoni, of Wood End Close in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, 47; and Richard Wilkins, 61, of Toothill, Swindon, Wiltshire, have both pleaded not guilty to one count of rape.

Wilkins has also denied one charge of assault by penetration.

Connor Sanderson Doyle, 31, of Crofton Road, Swindon, has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching.

Mohammed Hassan, 37, of Torun Way in Swindon, has pleaded not guilty to sexual touching.

Police are also appealing for help to identify another man wanted in connection with the case, describing him as being of large build, with scarring on the back of his head and a distinctive tattoo on the left side of his chest.

Young, Macksoni, Wilkins, Doyle and Hassan are due to stand trial in October.

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