Football club owners in court on rape charges

11 hours ago

Laura Foster, at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court and

Laura Devlin

Warren Muggleton/BBC

Barrie Drewitt-Barlow and his husband Scott took over Maldon and Tiptree FC in 2025

The owners of a football club have appeared in court charged with multiple offences including rape, sexual assault and modern slavery trafficking for sexual exploitation.

Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, and his husband Scott, 32, of Southwood Chase, Danbury, allegedly targeted and groomed young males.

Essex Police arrested the pair on Wednesday and officers searched Maldon & Tiptree FC as part of their inquiries.

At Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, the defendants spoke only to confirm their dates of birth and address, and they were remanded in custody.

Defence barrister Oliver Snodin said the pair "strenuously denied" the allegations.

They are due to appear again at Chelmsford Crown Court on 5 June.

Stuart Woodward/BBC

Police carried out searches at the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium on…