One of the UK’s first openly gay fathers and his husband have been charged with multiple offences after police raided their mansion this week.
Reality TV personality and football club owner Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, and his husband, Scott Drewitt-Barlow, 32, were arrested as part of an ongoing police investigation.
Barrie, a millionaire businessman and owner of Maldon & Tiptree FC, lives in Essex with Scott. Their home was among several properties searched by officers.
Detectives investigating allegations of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, rape and other sexual offences executed a series of warrants on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
Officers from the Serious Crime Directorate at Essex Police carried out coordinated searches at properties in Danbury, Maldon and Braintree.
In a statement, Essex Police said:
“Detectives have secured charges against two men in connection with an investigation into human trafficking for sexual exploitation, rape and other sexual offences.
“Officers from the Serious Crime Directorate at Essex Police carried out coordinated searches at premises in Danbury, Maldon and Braintree on Wednesday, May 6, and arrested two men. Since then, we have been liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service.
“We can now confirm that 57-year-old Barrie Drewitt-Barlow and 32-year-old Scott Drewitt-Barlow, both of Southwood Chase, Danbury, have each been charged with multiple offences, including rape, sexual assault and modern slavery trafficking for sexual exploitation.”
Detective Inspector Lydia George, who is leading the investigation, said: “If anyone has any information they feel ready to share with us, I would ask them to contact us via the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP), and the investigation team will provide any specialist support required.”
Both men are due to appear before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today, May 8.
