A former rapper is among six men accused of more than 60 offences against Joanne Young, who was allegedly drugged by her ex-husband and raped or sexually assaulted by him and others over 13 years.
Young, a 48-year-old mother of three, chose to waive her right to anonymity when prosecutors announced charges against Philip Young, a former Tory councillor, and five other men. Police released images of a seventh man, whom they are seeking to identify, last week.
Among the defendants is Norman Macksoni, a Zimbabwean-born former rapper and businessman. Macksoni, 47, performed under the name Lynx in a band called South Finesse, which had video chart hits in 2011 and was signed in the US as Kin.
“I’m extremely shocked,” a friend said. “Norm is the nicest guy; he would do anything for anyone. He was in a band that had a couple of hits.
“He is the last person anyone’s going to think is involved in anything like this.”
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Macksoni pleaded not guilty at Swindon Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday to one count of rape and possession of extreme images.
In September Joanne Young, a sales consultant who volunteers with Wiltshire search and rescue team, received a commendation from Wiltshire’s chief constable for her “extraordinary” efforts in retrieving a body from the River Avon.
Her former husband, Philip Young, who also works as a sales consultant, is accused of 56 sexual offences, including “administering a substance with intent to stupefy/overpower to allow sexual activity”, as well as voyeurism, possession of indecent images of children and possession of extreme images.
The court heard that police searching his home allegedly found three prohibited images and 82 extreme images, ranging in content across four categories: “rape, animals, death and gore”.
Philip Young was cabinet member for regeneration on Swindon town council, during which time he oversaw the £800m redevelopment of the town centre. In 2010, months after the arrival of the couple’s third child, he announced plans to step down to spend more time with family.
At the time, he told the Swindon Advertiser he had helped deliver his son at home minutes before paramedics arrived. “We didn’t have time to ring an ambulance beforehand,” he said. “It didn’t cross my mind – it was happening and that was it.”
Appearing in court wearing a pair of dark blue jeans and a black zip-up jumper, Young spoke only to confirm his identity and to say he would not be entering a plea at this stage. He was remanded in custody. His five co-defendants were released on bail for offences ranging from rape to sexual touching.
Macksoni; Dean Hamilton, also 47; and Richard Wilkins, 61, have all been charged with one count of rape in connection with the case.
Conner Sanderson Doyle, 31, of Crofton Road, Swindon, stands charged with sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching.
Mohammed Hassan, 37, of Torun Way in Swindon, is charged with sexual touching.
Court sketch by Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire