Maldon and Tiptree FC owners charged with assaults

Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, and his husband Scott Drewitt-Barlow, 32, co-owners of non-league football club Maldon and Tiptree FC, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Friday charged with multiple counts of assault, sexual assault, and arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.

The pair, residents of Southwood Chase in Danbury, Essex, spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth, and addresses during the hearing. Prosecutor Serena Berry described the allegations against Barrie Drewitt-Barlow as involving "very serious sexual offences" spanning several years. She told the court the men, who own businesses in Essex and abroad, allegedly targeted young males, befriended and groomed them, invited them to homes and other premises, provided alcohol and substances, and subjected them to assaults, including rapes, when victims lacked capacity to consent or felt unable to due to the defendants' status.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service, Barrie Drewitt-Barlow faces three counts of sexual assault on a male, four counts of assault on a man aged 16 or over, and two counts of arranging or facilitating travel for exploitation. Scott...