A wealthy same-sex couple from Danbury, Essex, England — one of whom gained notoriety as part of Britain’s first openly gay couple to have children through surrogacy — has been charged with multiple sexual offences, including rape and modern slavery trafficking for sexual exploitation. Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, and his “husband” Scott Drewitt-Barlow, 32, both face charges announced by the Crown Prosecution Service on or around May 8, 2026.
According to prosecutors, 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 faces, 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 the travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
The couple allegedly targeted, recruited, befriended, and groomed young males, inviting them to their home and other premises. Both men deny the allegations. They were remanded in custody and are due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court in June.
The pair are co-owners of Maldon & Tiptree Football Club (an eighth-tier non-league side) and run other businesses in Essex and abroad. They live a high-profile, multi-million-pound lifestyle and have appeared in documentaries and reality TV shows, including Rich House, Poor House and Below Deck Sailing Yacht.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow first made headlines in 1999 when he and his then-husband Tony became among the first same-sex couples in the UK to have children via surrogacy. Their twins were also the first to have a birth certificate listing “Parent One” and “Parent Two” instead of “Mother” and “Father.” He has since had a total of eight children through surrogacy arrangements, including triplets with Scott (his current husband, who is the ex-boyfriend of one of Barrie’s adult daughters). In one interview, Barrie acknowledged paying £50,000 for eggs from a Miami runway model because he wanted “beautiful” children.
Police raids were carried out on their home, the football club ground, and associated properties. A Rolls-Royce and other vehicles were reportedly seized.
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