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.…