A minor celebrity reputed to be ‘Britain’s first gay surrogate parent’ appeared in Crown Court on Monday, June 23rd—facing a significantly expanded list of charges.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow appeared alongside his ‘husband’ Scott Drewitt-Barlow in Chelmsford to hear a package of new and increasingly serious criminal allegations announced by Essex Police, in the form of 18 additional charges that now include rape, child sex offences, sexual assault, modern slavery, and trafficking for sexual exploitation.
The pair, aged 57 and 32 respectively and resident in Danbury, Essex, were not asked to enter pleas during the hearing. Previously the duo were arrested on suspicion of rape, human trafficking for sexual exploitation, and administering a noxious substance.
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow rose to prominence in 1999 when he and his then-partner became one of the first same-sex couples in the UK to have children through surrogacy. He then became known for work in so-called reality television and investment in non-league football, specifically Maldon and Tiptree F.C.
