A big scandal… The owner of an English club was arrested on charges of rape and human trafficking

The British police have arrested the owners of the Maldon & Tiptree football club, which operates in the English eighth level, on charges of rape, sexual harassment and human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Authorities arrested Barry Drewett Barlow, 57, and her husband, Scott Hutchison, 32, on Wednesday, and they will appear in court in Chelmsford on Friday.

The first club owner to come out as gay

Property developer Drewett Barlow is the first owner of a British football club to come out publicly as a homosexual.

The duo acquired Essex club Maldon & Tiptree in February 2025.

Huge investments and rapid growth

The two owners have invested heavily in refurbishing the club’s premises and filling its ranks with former Premier League players, including former West Ham United striker Freddie Sears and ex-Manchester City player Kevin Horlock, who has taken over as manager.

The team was crowned champions of their division, securing promotion to the seventh division the following season.

Drag a documentary series

A documentary series about the club was planned to be shown on the ITVX platform, but it was pulled from the schedule after the allegations against the owners, according to the British newspaper “The Athletic”.

Neither the club nor the accused’s representatives have yet made an official comment, while authorities continue to investigate the case.