One of Britain’s ‘first gay dads’ and his husband have both been charged with rape, sexual assault and modern slavery trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, also the UK’s first openly gay football club owner, and his husband Scott Hutchison, 32, will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today.
It comes after Essex Police raided the couple’s home in Danbury on Wednesday, with officers understood to have forced entry by knocking through a wooden fence.
Forensic units were seen scouring the home with several police vehicles parked on the driveway. Officers also searched properties in nearby Braintree and Maldon.
Multi-millionaire Drewitt-Barlow bought non-league Maldon and Tiptree FC 14 months ago and was set to star in an ITV documentary next week about his ownership and how he planned to turn the club around – but the series has now been canned.
Drewitt-Barlow and his ex-husband Tony made headlines in 1999 when they became one of the first gay couples in the UK to have children through a surrogate mother.
More recently, the entrepreneur let a stranger live in his house for a reality series and has been on shows such as Rich House, Poor House and Below Deck Sailing Yacht.
In the past, Drewitt-Barlow claimed to have been approached by footballers – three of which he says are currently playing in the Premier League – who are secretly gay.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow (right), 57, pictured with his husband Scott Hutchison (left), 32
Essex Police raided the couple’s home in Danbury on Wednesday as part of the investigation
Drewitt-Barlow (pictured) and his ex-husband Tony made headlines in 1999 when they became one of the first gay couples in the UK to have children through a surrogate mother
He told the BBC that while he is happy to help, he did not want to become ‘the poster boy for gay footballing’.
Drewitt-Barlow said: ‘I’ve already been classed as the poster boy for gay parenting or surrogacy and it doesn’t get anybody anywhere.
‘I don’t think people want to [come out] because they’re scared about what might happen in the dressing room, as well as on the pitch. I think the only people that can truly help and make it more normalised are the leagues and the FA.’
An Essex Police statement said today: ‘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 co-ordinated searches at premises in Danbury, Maldon, and Braintree on Wednesday 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 Danbury, have both been charged with multiple offences including rape, sexual assault, and modern slavery trafficking for sexual exploitation.
‘They are both due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today.’
The force asked anyone with information relating to the investigation to contact officers via the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP). They have also set up an incident room on the phone number 0800 051 4526 or 0207 126 7612 for international callers.
