# Man denies rape, saying he mistook victim’s snoring for role-play

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/man-accused-of-raping-wife-drugged-by-her-husband-tells-court-he-thought-her-snoring-was-part-of-the-role-playing/
- Published: 2026-11-04T16:04:06+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T16:34:12+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16265465/Man-accused-raping-wife-drugged-husband-snoring-role-playing.html?ns_mchannel=rss&amp;ns_campaign=1490&amp;ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Wilkins says he mistook snoring for role-play.
- Joanne Young’s husband admitted 56 charges.
- Three other men deny offences at trial.

## Summary

Richard Wilkins told Winchester Crown Court he believed a woman was taking part in a role-playing encounter when he heard her snoring, and did not realise she was not consenting. He denies rape and assault by penetration in a trial involving men accused of abusing Joanne Young, whose husband has admitted drugging and sexually abusing her over many years.

Wilkins, a 62-year-old former taxi driver, said he had answered an online advert placed by Philip Young and believed Joanne was awake and consenting. Philip Young has pleaded guilty to 56 charges relating to abuse over 13 years. Of the other defendants, Dean Hamilton has admitted rape and other sexual offences, while three men deny charges; sentencing is due after the trial.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.
