Police have raided the home and football club of multimillionaire Barrie Drewitt-Barlow as part of an investigation into alleged human trafficking for sexual exploitation and rape.
Properties Searched Across Essex
Officers, including a forensics team, conducted searches at the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium in Maldon, Essex, on Wednesday afternoon. The ground, which was being used as a polling station for local elections, was abruptly closed amid the operation. Earlier, police had forced entry into a mansion in Danbury, Essex, where multiple police vehicles were observed on the driveway. A third property in Braintree was also searched.
Essex Police confirmed that two men, aged 57 and 32, remain in custody and are being questioned by detectives. The 57-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape, human trafficking for sexual exploitation, and administering a noxious substance. The 32-year-old man faces similar charges.
Football Club and TV Show Impacted
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow and his husband Scott Hutchison are set to star in Up The Jammers, a reality TV series about their running of Non-League side Maldon & Tiptree. The raids present a significant challenge for ITV, as the fly-on-the-wall documentary is scheduled to air next Wednesday. MirrorOnline has contacted ITV for comment.
Maldon and Tiptree's outspoken owner has previously stated that "nothing" is hidden in the six-part show, which follows the club's battle to win the league. The couple gained attention last year when their eighth-tier club, which recently won promotion from the Isthmian League North Division, made history in the FA Cup before being eliminated in the first round proper by League One Port Vale.
Background of the Couple
Drewitt-Barlow, a multi-millionaire and father of eight, and his ex-husband Tony Drewitt-Barlow became the first gay couple in the UK to father children through surrogacy. After their marriage ended, Barrie made headlines when he began a relationship with their daughter's former boyfriend, Scott Hutchison. Despite their separation, Barrie and Tony continue to live together under one roof with their new partners.
"Our family is seen to be very unconventional," Barrie said in 2024. "I couldn't give a flying f*** what any of them thought about me to be honest – they don't pay my bills, they don't pay my kids' bills, they're not paying for a new G-Wagon next month."
Police Appeal for Information
Detective Inspector Lydia George, who is leading the investigation, urged anyone with information to contact the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP). "If anyone has any information they feel ready to share with us, I would ask them to contact us via the MIPP and the investigation team will provide you with any specialist support required," she said.
Following the raid at the stadium, Doug Wilkinson, deputy returning officer at Maldon District Council, apologised to voters. In a statement on the authority's social media pages, he said: "In light of an ongoing police investigation, I have made the decision to relocate the polling station from the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium to Blackwater Leisure Centre. Voters who were due to be voting at the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium will be re-directed to Blackwater Leisure Centre and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause due to the very late change."
