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Man denies raping blindfolded woman, says he believed she consented
Norman Macksoni denies raping Joanne Young and told Winchester Crown Court he believed she had consented to sex. His evidence forms part of the trial of four men accused of sexually abusing her, after her former husband admitted drugging and abusing her over many years.
Macksoni said he had been contacted through a swingers’ website by Philip Young, who he thought was messaging on behalf of both spouses. He said Joanne Young was blindfolded and restrained but appeared to participate, and that he did not know the encounter was being filmed. Philip Young, a former councillor, admitted 56 sexual offences; the other three defendants also deny charges.
In short
- Norman Macksoni denies rape and says he believed Joanne Young consented.
- He said he thought both spouses had contacted him.
- Her former husband admitted 56 sexual offences.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Macksoni’s account is that he believed Philip Young was arranging sex on behalf of both spouses, and that Joanne appeared to participate in the encounter. If he genuinely understood her actions as agreement and was unaware of the wider abuse or filming, that would support his claim that he believed she consented.
The case against
A blindfolded, restrained person may be unable to communicate freely, and apparent participation alone may not establish consent. The wider context reported in court—including her former husband’s admitted drugging and abuse—could lead jurors to question whether she was able to consent and whether Macksoni’s claimed belief was reasonable.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “Man who raped wife drugged by her husband insists she was ‘participating’ and ‘fully engaged’, court told”.