The residence of a football club owner, set to appear in a new reality TV show, was searched by police in connection to allegations of human trafficking for sexual exploitation and rape.
Law enforcement, along with forensic experts, were observed at the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium in Maldon, Essex, on Wednesday. The stadium, also serving as a polling station, was abruptly closed during the investigation. Prior to this, officers had gained entry to a mansion in Danbury, Essex, where multiple police vehicles were present.
Authorities, who also conducted searches at a property in Braintree, reported the detention of two individuals, aged 57 and 32, for questioning on suspicion of various offenses related to human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Barrie Drewitt-Barlow and his spouse Scott Hutchison are scheduled to be featured in a documentary series called Up The Jammers, focusing on their management of the Non-League team Maldon & Tiptree. The police actions have posed a significant challenge for ITV as the show’s airing is imminent.
A spokesperson for Essex Police stated, “Today, Wednesday, May 6, detectives initiated arrests and executed warrants as part of an investigation into human trafficking, sexual exploitation, rape, and related offenses.” Coordinated searches were carried out at locations in Danbury, Maldon, and Braintree by officers from the Serious Crime Directorate at Essex Police. The two arrested individuals are facing charges including rape, human trafficking for sexual exploitation, and administering harmful substances.
The controversial owner of Maldon and Tiptree emphasized that the forthcoming TV series portrays an unfiltered view of their club’s journey to success on the field. MirrorOnline has reached out to ITV for comments.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, a wealthy father of eight, made headlines as part of the first gay couple in the UK to have children through surrogacy with his former partner Tony Drewitt-Barlow. Following their separation, Barrie’s relationship with their daughter’s partner, Scott, drew public attention. Despite their split, Barrie and Tony cohabit with their new partners and five children.
In a previous statement, Barrie expressed indifference to societal opinions regarding his unconventional family dynamics. The couple gained recognition for their club’s achievements in the FA Cup, where they made historic progress before being eliminated in a match against League One’s Port Vale.
Detective Inspector Lydia George, in charge of the investigation, urged individuals with relevant information to contact the authorities through the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) for necessary support.
After the stadium search, Doug Wilkinson, deputy returning officer at Maldon District Council, apologized to voters for the inconvenience caused by relocating the polling station from the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium to Blackwater Leisure Centre due to the ongoing police operation.