Overview
- Essex Police charged Richard Howard-Smith, a Maldon town councillor, and Eldred Reames with multiple offences including rape and sexual assault after the Crown Prosecution Service authorised the prosecutions; both men have been remanded to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court.
- Earlier in the inquiry Barrie Drewitt-Barlow and Scott Drewitt-Barlow, owners of Maldon & Tiptree FC, were also charged with rape, sexual assault and modern slavery offences and will face a plea hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on 5 June while remaining in custody.
- Police have searched several addresses and the Maldon & Tiptree FC ground as part of the investigation and seized items now subject to forensic examination to build evidence for the prosecutions.
- Maldon Town Council said Howard-Smith has stepped aside from his duties and the council urged anyone with information to contact Essex Police; local arrangements such as polling locations and media coverage of the club have been affected by the probe.
- Prosecutors and police say enquiries are ongoing and further court hearings are expected, with the formal CPS authorisation marking the next legal step and the accused continuing to be treated as innocent until proven guilty.