A FORMER Conservative councillor faces charges of drugging and sexually assaulting his former wife with five other men over a 13-year period.

Philip Young, 49, appeared at Swindon magistrates’ court yesterday charged with 56 sexual offences, including multiple counts of rape and administering a substance with intent to stupefy his ex-wife, Joanne Young, 48.

Prosecutors allege Mr Young, alongside five other men who have also been charged, assaulted his wife while she was drugged. He has not entered a plea and was remanded in custody.

Ms Young has waived her right to anonymity, which would automatically apply in such cases.

Mr Clarke told Mr Young he was facing a number of indictable offences which could only be dealt with at crown court.

Mr Young, a father-of-three, was also charged with possessing 230 indecent images of children. Of these, 139 were category A, deemed the worst. 

He is further accused of breaching section 1 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 on at least 500 occasions.

Mr Young also faces 13 charges of voyeurism specific to videos and voyeurism “on at least 200 other occasions.”

Five other men charged with offences against Ms Young were due to appear at the same court yesterday. Police have released details of their ethnic identity. Three are described as “white British.”

Mr Young was the Tory cabinet member for regeneration at Swindon borough council between January 2007 and May 2010 when he stood down “to spend more time with his family.”