Jurors being selected for the trial of four men accused of sexually assaulting the ex-wife of a former Conservative councillor, who has admitted repeatedly drugging and raping her, have been warned the case is likely to be upsetting.

Philip Young, 50, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges of abuse against his former wife, Joanne Young, who has waived her right to anonymity.

A jury at Winchester crown court will this week begin hearing the trial of four other men charged with sexually assaulting Joanne Young.

The alleged offences carried out by the four – Connor Sanderson-Doyle, 32, Richard Wilkins, 62, Norman Macksoni, 48, and Mohammed Hassan, 38 – are said to have taken place between the summer of 2016 and the winter of 2023.

Philip Young is named in each of the counts as having committed the alleged offence with the other men.

A court artist’s sketch of Philip Young, right, who has pleaded guilty to charges of abuse against his former wife.…