Last year, the Frenchman was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping his ex-wife, , and recruiting more than 50 men to abuse her for ten years. The headlines spoke of “monster”, “depravity”, even “madness”. But not. It was simply and terribly a man, with his colleagues, subduing a woman, his companion, feeling unpunished. It is the demonstrated power, it is the submission of centuries.
His case is not unique, as demonstrated by what is now known in the United Kingdom, where a man has been accused of drugging and repeatedly raping his ex-wife for 13 years, according to local authorities. Five other men have also been accused of sexual crimes against the same woman, who was also offered by the person who, supposedly, should love her the most.
The arrested man’s name is Philip Young, whom authorities define as “a 49-year-old white man,” and he lived in Swindon when the events occurred. He is now a resident of Enfield, where he has been arrested and charged with 56 sexual offences, including multiple counts of raping and managing Joanne Young, 48, between 2010 and 2023, the Crown Prosecution Service and Wiltshire Police report.
Although British law automatically protects the identity of victims of sexual crimes, Joanne Young has voluntarily renounced this right, as did Gisèle Pelicot, who decided to attend the trial with her face revealed to demonstrate that the aggressors should have the shame, not the victims. Her gesture, after her ordeal, has made her a symbol of the global feminist struggle. Another brave woman, Joanne, follows in her wake.
“She has requested that her name be included in this press release and is supported by specially trained officers and partner agencies,” the agencies said in their statement, adding that the woman is being assisted police and psychologically.
It is expected that a “complex and extensive” investigation lies ahead, which remains open, so new charges or arrests are not ruled out.
Phillip Young, who remains in custody, was also charged with voyeurism, possession of indecent images of children (child pornography) and possession of extreme images, reports the British public broadcaster, which highlights that it is unknown when the couple separated.
The five other men accused of sexual offenses against Joanne Young were released on bail, police said. These are their names and their profiles:
- Norman Macksoni, aged 47, of Wood End Close, Sharnbrook. Police described him as a black British citizen. He is charged with rape and possession of extreme images.
- Dean Hamilton, 47, of no fixed address. Another white British citizen. He is charged with one count of rape and sexual assault with penetration and two counts of sexual contact.
- Conner Sanderson Doyle, 31, of Crofton Road, Swindon. The police stated that he was a white British citizen also accused of sexual assault by penetration and sexual contact.
- Richard Wilkins, aged 61, of Tattershall, Toothill, Swindon. Also a white British citizen and charged with rape and sexual contact.
- Mohammed Hassan, 37, of Torun Way, Swindon. Police described him as a British Asian man. He has been accused of sexual contact, in this case.
The six men will appear at Swindon Magistrates’ Court, in the southwest of England, this Tuesday. It was not immediately confirmed whether they have legal representation.
no more
The so-called Pelicot case brought to the table a mass rape so radical that, together with the victim’s decision to defy anonymity and publicly declare that “shame must change sides”, it marked a global turn in the fight against sexual violence. No more hiding or blaming yourself, even.
Gisèle was drugged by her ex-husband, Dominique, for approximately a decade to be raped by dozens of men he contacted online, while he recorded the abuse. Thousands of photos and videos of the attacks were found on the husband’s devices. She did not remember anything, she certainly did not agree or collaborate, as the trial perversely wanted to make her believe, and she went through years and years of gynecological check-ups for discomfort that no one could explain.
His decision to make the process public, attend the hearings every day and show his face, instead of hiding, sought to make society hold the aggressors responsible and not the victim. This brave stance defeated and convinced other women. All ways of dealing with trauma of this nature are valid, but coming forward especially destroys attackers. The consent debate was exposed.
