Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, the 57-year-old who became Britain's first gay surrogate parent in 1999, and his husband Scott, 32, have been hit with 18 additional charges including paying for sexual services of a child and multiple counts of rape. The couple appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, where they were not asked to enter pleas. Prosecutor Louise Oakley KC said they face a trial from January 18, 2027, with a time estimate of eight to 10 weeks.
The men, both of Danbury, Essex, have been remanded in custody until a further hearing on September 7, when they are due to be asked for pleas. The new charges against Barrie include two counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of paying for sexual services of a child, five counts of rape, four counts of sexual assault, causing an individual to engage in sexual activity without consent, and causing or inciting sexual activity. Scott faces two additional counts of rape and one count of causing or inciting sexual activity.
“Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, and husband Scott face 18 new charges including rape and child sex offences.”
At an earlier hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, prosecutor Serena Berry described the couple as "celebrities, who live multi-million (pound) lifestyles and have featured in many documentaries and reality TV shows." She added: "They own the Maldon and Tiptree football club, and they have other businesses in the Essex area and also abroad in other countries. It is alleged they have both targeted young males, they have recruited them, they have befriended them, they have groomed them. They have invited them to their home and other premises."
Barrie had already been charged with three counts of sexual assault on a male, four counts of rape of a man 16 or over, and two counts of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation. Scott faced one count of sexual assault on a male, one count of rape of a man 16 or over, and two counts of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation. On Monday, Essex Police confirmed the further alleged offences. The pair now face a total of multiple charges including modern slavery trafficking for sexual exploitation.