A Winchester Crown Court trial has seen a significant development as a new sexual assault charge was put to a Swindon man accused of abusing the wife of former local councillor Philip Young.
Mohammed Hassan, 38, of Swindon, now faces two counts of sexual assault. He had previously pleaded not guilty to a single charge of sexual touching relating to an incident in February 2023. The new charge was introduced by the prosecution as an alternative version of events, according to Mr Justice Saini.
The judge explained to the jury that the prosecution’s case against Hassan has been divided into two counts: “They say there was either oral sex or there was touching of Mrs Young’s hand. These two different versions of the prosecution’s case have been split up into count six, which is oral sex, and seven, which is the touching.” Hassan has denied both counts.
The trial concerns a wider investigation into the abuse of Joanne Young, who has waived her right to anonymity. Her husband, former Swindon councillor Philip Young, has already pleaded guilty to multiple charges of drugging and sexually abusing his wife over a 13-year period at their home.
During the proceedings, prosecutor Sarah Jones KC alleged that during the incident involving Hassan, Mrs Young was restrained and blindfolded. While she believed her husband was engaged in sexual activity with her, she became aware of a second person in the bedroom. Mrs Young testified that she felt someone touch her arm in an attempt to prevent her from removing her restraints. Upon managing to free herself and remove her blindfold, she witnessed another man ducking at the end of the bed after being instructed to do so by her husband.
“I was obviously really shocked because you don’t expect someone else to be in your bedroom,” Mrs Young told the court. “I had been having sex and I felt someone else’s hand on my wrist… it was not the same person.”
While Hassan is the only defendant in the trial who opted not to give evidence and did not answer questions during police interviews, the court has heard it is agreed that he was the individual present during the incident.
Three other men are also on trial alongside Hassan, having been charged jointly with Philip Young. Norman Macksoni, 48, of Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, has denied one count of rape. Connor Sanderson-Doyle, 32, of Swindon, has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching. Richard Wilkins, 62, of Toothill, Swindon, has denied one count of rape and one count of assault by penetration.
The trial continues at Winchester Crown Court.
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