Police launch new bid to hint ‘furry’ man nonetheless needed over sexual offences in opposition to Joanne Young – after her ex-councillor husband admits drugging and raping her

Police have launched a probe to trace a ‘hairy’ man wanted in connection with the 13-year campaign of abuse against an ex-councillor’s wife.

Officers in Wiltshire released images of the suspect today after father-of-three Philip Young pleaded guilty to 48 sex offences at a hearing in Winchester Crown Court.

The 49-year-old admitted to repeatedly raping Joanne Young, 48, and drugging her.

A total of six people have now been charged.

Police today identified another man they still wish to speak to – described as of a ‘large build, hairy’ and with ‘prominent lips’.

Warning that the images, taken around April-May 2022, may be ‘triggering to some’, a spokesman explained the force was ‘really keen to identify and speak with’ the individual.

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Geoff Smith said: ‘This is a significant investigation in which several suspects have appeared in court charged with various serious sexual offences.

‘This man remains unknown and we remain really keen to identify and speak with him in connection with the case.

‘We appreciate the graphic nature of these images and that they may be triggering to some people, however we need the public’s help to identify this man.

‘It is unknown whether he lives in Swindon or from outside the county, which is why we request that this is shared as widely as possible to assist our bid to identify him.’

DS Smith clarified the appeal had ‘once again been made with the pre-sight and support of the victim’, Joanne Young, who had waived her right to anonymity.

Wiltshire Police said: ‘The man is of a large build, hairy, with scarring on the back of his head, prominent lips, short or shaved hair, and a distinctive tattoo on the left side of his chest.

‘Although the offences have taken place in Swindon, it is unknown whether the unidentified man lives locally or whether he has travelled from elsewhere.’

Ms Young was present at court to witness the pleas entered this afternoon by her ex-husband, supported by her sister and a member of Witness Support.

Philip Young, who was dressed in a prison issued grey tracksuit, lowered his eyes as his former wife of more than 20 years entered the room.

The disgraced business consultant admitted to 11 counts of rape, seven charges of sexual assault and four counts of sexual touching, all involving Joanne Young.

He also pleaded guilty to multiple counts of ‘voyeurism’ including secretly recording his unsuspecting wife during ‘private acts’ more than 200 times for his sexual gratification between January 2010 and July 2024.

Young further admitted to publishing ‘obscene’ material – including non-consensual intimate photographs and videos of Ms Young – more than 500 times.

However, Young denied eight charges during the hearing, including multiple counts of possession of indecent images of children – of which 139 are allegedly of the most serious category A, and 82 ‘extreme’ images.

Originally from the up‑market Ash Brake area of Swindon but now living in Enfield, north London, Young was remanded in custody to be sentenced at a later date.

He had served as a respected Conservative councillor in the Wiltshire town for several years, rising to be a cabinet member.

But in 2010 – the year when the abuse is believed to have begun – Young announced he was stepping down in order to spend more time with his family.

Also in the dock were five other men, none of whom admitted any offences.

The group were present again at Winchester Crown Court before Judge Angela Morris today.

Norman Macksoni, 47, of Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, entered a not guilty plea to one count of rape and one count of possession of extreme images.

Connor Sanderson-Doyle, 31, from Swindon also denied sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching.

While Richard Wilkins, 61, from Swindon, denied rape and sexual touching while Mohammed Hassan, 37, also from Swindon, pleaded not guilty to a single charge of sexual touching.

Dean Hamilton, 47, of Butleigh, Somerset, who faces one count of rape and sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual touching, is yet to enter a plea.

The six men stood in line in the dock for the 27 minutes it took for the charges to be read by the clerk.

The five men were all granted bail and are due to stand trial on October 5.

Speaking after the court hearing James Foster, Specialist Prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: ‘Philip Young has pleaded guilty to 48 serious sexual offences committed against his former wife, Joanne Young.

‘We worked closely with Wiltshire Police to build a thorough and compelling case that resulted in him pleading guilty to dozens of offences today.’

Wiltshire Police Detective Superintendent Geoff Smith, the senior investigating officer in the case, said: ‘Today’s hearing is a significant landmark, which has seen Philip Young admit to dozens of serious sexual offences against Joanne Young.

‘I’d like to pay tribute to Jo for her incredible bravery throughout this process. She continues to be supported by specially trained officers.

‘I’d also like to commend the investigation team for their relentless hard work in getting the case to this stage and thank the Crown Prosecution Service for their support in ensuring Young faces justice for his abhorrent actions.

‘The wider case is now continuing through the courts and we have no further comment to make.’

Young was formerly a council cabinet member for culture, regeneration and economic development, but in 2010 he said he was stepping down to spend more time with family.

Six months earlier, he described how he helped deliver the couple’s third child at home minutes before paramedics could arrive. The couple have since split up.

Young has been involved in multiple consultancy businesses, including as a director, and describes himself online as an ‘experienced business leader’.

He is listed as the chief operating officer for a salesforce consultancy firm based in London. He joined the business in June 2023 with ’17 years’ experience in the ecosystem running his own partner consultancy’, according to his biography on the company website.

He previously worked on projects for household names including Aston Martin, Unilever, and BP.

Young graduated with a business studies degree from the University of Westminster in 1998, and previously went to school in Bishop’s Stortford.

Anyone who believes they recognise the ‘hairy’ man in the images has been asked to email [email protected] and quote reference number 54240080286.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.