Trial begins for four men accused of abusing woman while husband watched

A woman locked herself in a bathroom after discovering a stranger was in her bedroom while she was blindfolded and having sex, a jury has heard at Winchester Crown Court. Four men are currently on trial accused of sexual offences against Joanne Young, who has waived her right to anonymity.

The Incident

In police interviews played in court, Joanne said the incident happened in February 2023 after a night out with friends. She woke up with a blindfold and restraints on, and felt a hand on her wrist that she realized did not belong to her then-husband, Philip Young. When she tried to remove her blindfold, she heard Philip tell someone to get down and saw a person ducking at the end of the bed. She then ran to the bathroom and locked the door.

Husband's Confession

Joanne told police that Philip later apologised and admitted he had invited someone to watch them after browsing online forums. She stated that they had never discussed having anyone else involved in their relationship. On the day Philip was arrested, he also admitted to sharing images of her online without her consent.

Context

Sexual assault trials involving multiple defendants are heard in Crown Courts before a judge and a jury. The legal process allows recorded police interviews of complainants to be played as evidence during court proceedings.