Barrie and Scott Drewitt-Barlow charged with more sexual offences

Eighteen more charges, including multiple rape offences, have been brought against the buyers of a non-league football club. Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, and his husband Scott, 32, are accused of targeting and grooming young males across the country between 2013 and 2026. Essex Police said Barrie Drewitt-Barlow had been charged with two offences of paying for sexual services of a child, among other alleged crimes. The couple, who bought Maldon & Tiptree FC in 2025, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday and will return for a plea hearing in September. They were remanded in custody and a provisional trial date was fixed for 18 January. Police raided the football club and their home in Southwood Chase, Danbury, when they began their inquiries in May. The new offences Barrie Drewitt-Barlow was charged with on Monday were: Scott Drewitt-Barlow was additionally charged with causing or inciting sexual activity and two counts of rape. Property developer Barrie Drewitt-Barlow made headlines in 1999 when he and his partner at the time became known as Britain's first gay fathers, having become parents through a surrogate mother. Police searched his pub in Braintree, The Swan, after they