Two co-owners of the non-league football club Maldon & Tiptree have been charged with human trafficking for sexual exploitation as well as rape following an investigation by Essex police. Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, and Scott Drewitt-Barlow, 32, both of Southwood Chase, Danbury, Essex, were charged on Friday and will appear at Chelmsford magistrates court later.
Charges and Allegations
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that the men have been charged with arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, alongside sexual offences including rape. Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, who became Britain’s first gay surrogate parent in 1999, faces 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 travel for 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, and two counts of arranging or facilitating travel for exploitation.
Police Investigation
Essex police stated that officers from the serious crime directorate conducted coordinated searches at premises in Danbury, Maldon, and Braintree on Wednesday, leading to the arrest of two men. The force has since been liaising with the CPS regarding the case.
Impact on ITV Show
ITV has shelved a planned television show about the men’s move into football club ownership. A press release on the ITV website, published on 31 March and still available on Friday morning, described the six-part series Up the Jammers as following “Barrie and Scott’s pursuit to take the Isthmian League North Division team to the grand heights of the English Football League within four years.” A quote from Barrie Drewitt-Barlow in the release said: “We didn’t get into football to play it safe, we got into it to build something big, and ITV is the perfect platform to bring that story to life. Nothing has been hidden.” On Friday, an ITV spokesperson confirmed: “ITV has decided to remove Up the Jammers from the upcoming schedule.”
The case has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the defendants, who were previously known for their pioneering role in gay surrogacy. The charges mark a dramatic fall from grace for the pair, who had sought to elevate the small Essex club to professional status.
