Football Club Owners Charged with Rape, Sexual Assault and Modern Slavery

Owners of a football club face charges of rape, sexual assault and modern slavery trafficking for sexual exploitation.

Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, and his husband, Scott, 32, were arrested Wednesday by Essex Police.

Forensic officers searched Maldon and Tiptree FC, the couple's home in Southwood Chase, Danbury, and The Swan pub in Braintree, which Barrie Drewitt-Barlow owns, as part of the investigation.

Both men are due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Friday.

A Rolls Royce owned by Barrie Drewitt-Barlow was loaded onto a trailer and removed for examination Wednesday. Police gathered evidence at the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium, home of non-league side Maldon and Tiptree.

Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, a property developer, drew attention in 1999 when he and his then-partner Tony became known as Britain's first gay fathers through a surrogate mother.

He has appeared on reality TV shows including Rich House, Poor House and Below Deck Sailing Yacht.

In 2025, he and Scott Drewitt-Barlow completed a multi-million pound deal to take over Maldon and Tiptree FC and guided the club to promotion to step seven of the English football pyramid.

They signed players such as former West Ham United striker Freddie Sears and appointed ex-Manchester City and Ipswich Town player Kevin Horlock as manager.