Barrie Drewitt-Barlow is in custody on remand after being charged with multiple serious offences including rape, sexual assault, and arranging the travel of another person for exploitation. The 57-year-old, who became famous in 1999 as one of Britain’s first gay surrogate fathers, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on 8 May 2026 alongside his husband Scott Drewitt-Barlow and was remanded in custody ahead of a Crown Court hearing on 5 June 2026. Both men deny all of the allegations.

Who Is Barrie Drewitt-Barlow?

Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, became a prominent public figure in 1999 when he and his then-partner Tony became one of Britain’s first gay couples to have children through surrogacy. The family received considerable media attention and Barrie remained in the public eye in subsequent years. He later married Scott Drewitt-Barlow, 32, and the couple became co-owners of non-league football club Maldon and Tiptree FC, overseeing the club’s promotion through the football pyramid. Barrie and Scott also appeared as guests on the reality television programme Below Deck Sailing Yacht, which raised their profile internationally.

Their arrest on 6 May 2026 attracted immediate and widespread attention across UK media, given the family’s longstanding public profile and Barrie’s status as a pioneering figure in debates around surrogacy and gay parenting rights in the UK.

What Charges Does He Face?

According to the Crown Prosecution Service, Barrie Drewitt-Barlow faces the following charges: three counts of sexual assault on a male, four counts of rape of a man aged 16 or over, and two counts of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation. The alleged offences are said to have occurred over a period between 2013 and 2026. Both he and his husband Scott were formally charged on 12 May 2026.

It is important to note that these are charges, not convictions. Barrie Drewitt-Barlow has not been found guilty of any offence. His defence barrister, Oliver Snodin, stated in court that both men strenuously deny all of the allegations. They are presumed innocent unless and until a court finds otherwise. Remand in custody is a procedural decision based on factors such as flight risk and the seriousness of the alleged offences — it is not an indication of guilt.

The Court Hearing and Remand Decision

On 8 May 2026, Barrie Drewitt-Barlow appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court alongside Scott. Both defendants spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth, and addresses. The court did not hear any evidence at this stage, as the case will be committed to the Crown Court for trial. The magistrates remanded both men in custody, meaning they are being held in a prison on remand without a conviction or sentence. Being held on remand does not mean a person is guilty.

If you have a family member on remand and need practical support, our guides explain how to book a prison visit and how to send money to a prisoner on remand.

What About Scott Drewitt-Barlow?

Scott Drewitt-Barlow, 32, faces his own set of charges. He is accused of one count of sexual assault on a male, one count of rape of a man aged 16 or over, and two counts of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation. Like Barrie, he was arrested on 6 May 2026 and appeared in court on 8 May, where he was also remanded in custody. Both men deny all of the charges.

What Happens Next?

Barrie and Scott Drewitt-Barlow are due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on 5 June 2026. At that hearing, the case will be formally transferred to the Crown Court and further procedural steps will be taken, including the setting of a trial date. Given the number and seriousness of the charges, a full trial is expected in due course, though no trial date has been confirmed as of May 2026. The legal process in cases of this complexity can take many months from the initial hearing to verdict.

For more information on how remand custody works in the UK prison system, see our Find a Prisoner guide. For background on how release and parole would function should any conviction lead to a custodial sentence, see our Parole Board UK guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Barrie Drewitt-Barlow in custody?

Barrie Drewitt-Barlow is in custody on remand after being charged with rape, sexual assault, and arranging the travel of another person for exploitation. He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on 8 May 2026 and was remanded in custody to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on 5 June 2026. He has not been convicted of any offence and denies all charges.

What is Barrie Drewitt-Barlow charged with?

He is charged with three counts of sexual assault on a male, four counts of rape of a man aged 16 or over, and two counts of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation. The alleged offences are said to have occurred between 2013 and 2026.

Is Barrie Drewitt-Barlow guilty?

Barrie Drewitt-Barlow has not been found guilty of any offence. He and his husband Scott strenuously deny all of the allegations through their defence barrister. Remand in custody is a procedural court decision and does not indicate guilt — all defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted at trial.

What is Scott Drewitt-Barlow charged with?

Scott Drewitt-Barlow, 32, is charged with one count of sexual assault on a male, one count of rape of a man aged 16 or over, and two counts of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation. He was also remanded in custody and denies all charges.

When is the Drewitt-Barlow court case?

The next court appearance for Barrie and Scott Drewitt-Barlow is at Chelmsford Crown Court on 5 June 2026. No trial date has been set as of May 2026 and the legal process is expected to continue for some time.