Football club owners charged with human trafficking

Football club owners charged with human trafficking1 hour agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleLaura DevlinandLewis Adams,EssexWarren Muggleton/BBCBarrie Drewitt-Barlow and his husband, Scott, took over Maldon and Tiptree FC in 2025The owners of a football club have been charged with multiple offences including rape, sexual assault, and modern slavery trafficking for sexual exploitation.Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, and his husband, Scott, 32, were arrested on Wednesday by Essex Police.Forensic officers searched Maldon and Tiptree FC, the couple's home in Southwood Chase, Danbury and The Swan pub in Braintree, owned by Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, as part of their inquiries.They are both due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Friday.Stuart Woodward/BBCPolice carried out searches at the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium on WednesdayA Rolls Royce owned by Barrie Drewitt-Barlow was loaded on to the back of a trailer and taken away for examination on Wednesday.It was part of a haul of evidence gathered by police at the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium, home to non-league side Maldon and Tiptree.Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, a property developer, has featured in reality TV shows including Rich House, Poor House and Below Deck Sailing Yacht.Lewis Adams/BBCPolice were seen carrying out inquiries at The Swan pub in Braintree on WednesdayIn 2025, he and Scott Drewitt-Barlow finalised a multi-million pound deal to take over Maldon and Tiptree FC and oversaw their promotion to step seven of the English football pyramid.Some of the big names they brought in have included ex-West Ham United striker Freddie Sears and former Manchester City and Ipswich Town player Kevin Horlock as manager.Barrie Drewitt-Barlow renamed the stadium after himself and claimed the average matchday attendance rose from 70 to 800 under his stewardship.Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.This breaking news story is being updated and more d...