UK court hears man offered drugged wife for sex online

A UK court heard Tuesday that Philip Young advertised online for strangers to have sex with his drugged then-wife, Joanne Young, without her consent.

Philip Young has already pleaded guilty to multiple sexual offences against Joanne Young, who has waived her right to anonymity. The offences he admitted include rape, voyeurism and administering a substance with intent to stupefy or overpower.

Four men, aged between 32 and 62, are now on trial at Winchester Crown Court in southern England. They deny sexual offences allegedly committed with Philip Young against Joanne Young between 2016 and 2023. Two face rape charges and two face lesser sexual assault charges.

Prosecutor Sarah Jones told the court that Philip Young advertised Joanne Young on Craigslist, Grindr and swinging websites, seeking strangers to come and have sex with her. Jones said he presented the proposition as a “kink” and suggested she would be unaware or unable to remember what happened.

The court heard that Philip Young had sought drugs since 2015 to put his wife into a deep sleep. Jones said police uncovered the case after he was flagged for uploading extreme images online, and later found videos of Joanne Young restrained in bed while other men engaged in sexual activity with her.

Philip Young, 50, pleaded guilty in January to 48 charges, including 11 counts of rape and 11 counts of administering a substance with intent. A sixth defendant, Dean Hamilton, 47, has also previously admitted rape and sexual assault linked to the case. Young and Hamilton are due to be sentenced at the end of the trial.