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, were arrested on Wednesday by Essex Police.
Forensic officers searched Maldon & 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.
At Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, the pair spoke only to confirm their dates of birth and address, and they were remanded in custody.
They are due to appear again at Chelmsford Crown Court on 5 June.
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The Crown Prosecution Service says Barrie Drewitt-Barlow has been charged with three counts of sexual assault on a male, four counts of rape of a man aged 16 or over, and two counts of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
Scott Drewitt-Barlow has been charged with one count of sexual assault on a male, one count of rape of a man aged 16 or over, and two counts of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
The court was told the alleged offences happened between 2013 and 2026.
A Rolls-Royce owned by Barrie Drewitt-Barlow was loaded onto 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, the home of Maldon & Tiptree.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, a property developer, made headlines in 1999 when he and his partner at the time, Tony, became known as Britain’s first gay fathers, having become parents through a surrogate mother.
The court was told he has run a clinical research company for 27 years.
He has since featured in reality TV shows including Rich House, Poor House and Below Deck Sailing Yacht.
In 2025, he and Scott Drewitt-Barlow finalised a deal to take over Maldon & Tiptree and oversaw their promotion to tier seven of the English football pyramid.
Some of the players brought in include ex-West Ham and Ipswich striker Freddie Sears and former Manchester City and Ipswich player Kevin Horlock as manager.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, who renamed the stadium after himself, has said the average matchday attendance has risen from 70 to 800 under his stewardship.
(BBC)
