Appearances on reality television
During a hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, Serena Berry, prosecuting, said the men were alleged to have “targeted young males”.
The couple, who own non-league clubs Maldon and Tiptree FC, are due before Chelmsford Crown Court in September, when they are expected to be asked to enter pleas.
In 1999, Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, a property developer, and his then-partner, Tony Drewitt-Barlow, became one of the first gay couples to be named as same-sex parents on the birth certificates of their children, who were born to a surrogate at a clinic in California.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow appeared in several reality television programmes, including Rich House, Poor House and Below Deck Sailing Yacht. He and Scott Drewitt-Barlow were arrested during a raid at their home in Danbury, Essex, on May 6 and charged two days later.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow was initially charged with three counts of sexual assault on a male, four counts of rape of a man 16 or older, and two counts of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
Scott Drewitt-Barlow faced charges of 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.
‘They both targeted young males’
Berry told the Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court: “Barrie Drewitt-Barlow is in a relationship with Scott Drewitt-Barlow ... they are what could be termed to be celebrities, who live multimillion [pound] lifestyles and have featured in many documentaries and reality TV shows.
“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.”
After their arrest, Detective Inspector Lydia George, of Essex Police, said: “If anyone has any information they feel ready to share with us, I would ask them to contact us via the Major Incident Public Portal [MIPP] and the investigation team will provide you with any specialist support required.”
A planned ITV documentary, entitled Up The Jammers, about their time in charge of Maldon and Tiptree Football Club, has been cancelled.
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