A man on trial for sexual abuse has asserted that he was manipulated into the encounter, claiming the alleged victim's husband posted an online advertisement for sex with his wife.

Connor Sanderson-Doyle, 32, denies charges of sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching. The court heard that Sanderson-Doyle responded to a Craigslist advertisement in June 2016. He stated he believed the woman was consenting and stopped when he perceived she was not happy.

"You make me out as this horrible monster wanting to do horrible things, that is not the case," Sanderson-Doyle told prosecutor Sarah Jones KC. "Mr. Young was using pawns in his sick little game, he was doing it to his wife for 14 years, he did it to me."

Philip Young, a former Conservative councillor, previously admitted to drugging and assaulting his wife, Joanne Young, over a 13-year period. Sanderson-Doyle described Young as a "vile monster."

Sanderson-Doyle, who works in quality assurance and previously worked on Ministry of Defence nuclear defence projects, said the allegations led to him losing his job. He stated he lost his career and nearly his house due to the stress on his family, adding that he felt "hard done by" and that his "naivety has played a part."

He told the court, "Never in my wildest dreams or nightmares would I imagine what I walked into... While I thought things were weird and strange and not what I am used to and outside my comfort zone, I took it as it was odd not that it was nefarious, not that as what Philip Young was actually doing."

Four other men are on trial at Winchester Crown Court, accused of sexual abuse against Joanne Young. These include Norman Macksoni, 48, who denies rape; Richard Wilkins, 62, who denies rape and assault by penetration; and Mohammed Hassan, 38, who denies sexual touching.

Wilkins testified that he answered the Craigslist advert out of "curiosity." He recalled Young saying his wife desired "anonymity" and would be blindfolded. Wilkins expressed concern that the advert mentioned she would be "pissed," to which Young reportedly responded that she might be sleepy and "if you get her going she might respond."

Wilkins stated Young described the scenario as a "fantasy thing that she would be asleep," and that he would enter, have sex, and then leave. He added that Young had told him they were a "happily married couple and this was what they liked to do."

Philip Young, 50, has pleaded guilty to 56 charges. A sixth defendant, Dean Hamilton, 47, has admitted to charges including assault by penetration, sexual assault, and rape.

Sentencing for all defendants will occur after the trial concludes. The trial is ongoing.