British businessman and television personality Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, who gained widespread recognition after becoming one of the United Kingdom's first gay fathers through surrogacy alongside his former partner, has been charged with multiple serious sexual offences. His husband, Scott Hutchison, faces similar charges.
Charges Filed by Essex Police
Essex Police confirmed that Drewitt-Barlow, 57, and Hutchison, 32, both residents of Danbury in Essex, have been charged with offences including rape, sexual assault, and modern slavery trafficking for sexual exploitation. The charges were reported by the Daily Mail, citing police sources.
The pair were scheduled to appear before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Friday. The charges stem from coordinated police raids conducted earlier this week at properties in Danbury, Maldon, and Braintree, as part of an investigation led by Essex Police's Serious Crime Directorate.
Police Statement on the Investigation
In a statement, the force said: "Officers from the Serious Crime Directorate at Essex Police carried out co-ordinated searches at premises in Danbury, Maldon, and Braintree on Wednesday and arrested two men." Investigators worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service before formal approval of the charges.
The statement added: "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."
Background of Barrie Drewitt-Barlow
Drewitt-Barlow first captured national attention in 1999 when he and his then-partner, Tony Drewitt-Barlow, became one of the first gay couples in Britain to have children via a surrogate mother. Over the years, he appeared on television programmes such as Rich House, Poor House and Below Deck Sailing Yacht.
The businessman later ventured into football ownership by acquiring non-league side Maldon & Tiptree FC. According to British media reports, an ITV documentary series focusing on his plans for the club has reportedly been cancelled following the charges.
Comments on Sexuality in Football
Drewitt-Barlow had previously spoken publicly about sexuality in professional football, claiming that some current footballers had privately approached him regarding coming out as gay. He told the BBC that he did not want to become "the poster boy for gay footballing."
He stated: "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."
