The owners of a football club have appeared in court facing multiple charges, including rape, sexual assault, and modern slavery trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, and his husband Scott, 32, of Southwood Chase, Danbury, are accused of targeting and grooming young males. Essex Police arrested the pair on Wednesday and conducted searches at Maldon & Tiptree FC as part of their investigation.
At Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, the defendants only spoke to confirm their dates of birth and address, and were remanded in custody. Defense barrister Oliver Snodin stated the pair “strenuously denied” the allegations. They are scheduled to appear again at Chelmsford Crown Court on June 5.
Police carried out searches at the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium on Wednesday.
A Rolls-Royce was removed from the football ground on Wednesday.
The Crown Prosecution Service said Barrie Drewitt-Barlow faces charges including:
– Three counts of sexual assault on a male
– Four counts of rape of a man aged 16 or over
– Two counts of arranging or facilitating 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
– Two counts of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation
The court heard that the alleged offenses occurred between 2013 and 2026. Prosecutor Serena Berry said the pair owned businesses in Essex and abroad and could be described as “celebrities, who live multi-million [pound] lifestyles.”
“It is alleged they have both targeted young males, they have recruited them, they have befriended them, they have groomed them,” she said. “They have invited them to their home and other premises.”
On Wednesday, police were seen conducting inquiries at The Swan pub in Braintree, owned by Barrie Drewitt-Barlow.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, a property developer, made headlines in 1999 when he and his then-partner Tony became known as Britain’s first gay fathers after becoming parents through a surrogate mother. He later appeared in reality TV shows such as *Rich House, Poor House* and *Below Deck Sailing Yacht*. In 2025, he and Scott Drewitt-Barlow finalized a deal to take over Maldon & Tiptree and oversaw their promotion to tier seven of the English football pyramid. Notable figures brought into the club include former West Ham and Ipswich striker Freddie Sears and ex-Manchester City and Ipswich player Kevin Horlock, who serves as manager.