Multimillionaire and partner's home and football club raided in rape and human trafficking investigation

The home of the owner of a football club set to feature in new reality TV show has been raided as part of a police investigation into alleged human trafficking for sexual exploitation and rape. Police officers, including a forensics team, were seen at the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium in Maldon, Essex, on Wednesday afternoon. The ground, being used as a polling station for the local elections, was suddenly closed amid the search. Officers had earlier forced entry into a mansion in Danbury, Essex, where several police vehicles were seen on the driveway. Police, who also searched a property in Braintree, confirmed two men, aged 57 and 32, remain in custody, where they are being questioned by detectives. Barrie Drewitt-Barlow and his husband Scott Hutchison are both set to star in Up The Jammers, a series about their running of Non-League side Maldon & Tiptree. The raids present ITV with a massive headache, with the fly-on-the-wall documentary being due to hit screens next Wednesday. A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Detectives leading an investigation into human trafficking for sexual exploitation, rape and other sexual offences have today, Wednesday, May 6 made two arrests and carried out a series of warrants. "Officers from the Serious Crime Directorate at Essex Police have today carried out coordinated searches of premises in Danbury, Maldon and Braintree as part of their investigation. Searches remain ongoing at all of the locations. "Two men from Danbury have also been arrested. A 57-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of: rape, human trafficking for sexual exploitation and administering a noxious substance. "A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape, human trafficking for sexual exploitation and administering a noxious substance. Both men remain in custody where they are being questioned by detectives." Maldon and Tiptree's outspoken owner has said "nothing" is hidden in the new six-part show that follows his club and their battle to win the league. MirrorOnline have contacted ITV for comment. Multi-millionaire and father-of-eight Drewitt-Barlow and ex-husband Tony Drewitt-Barlow became the first gay couple to father children through surrogacy in the UK. But after their marriage fell apart, Barrie hit the headlines when he fell for their daughter's boyfriend Scott. Barrie has five children with ex husband Tony, and although the couple have separated, they still live together under one roof with their new partners. “Our family is seen to be very unconventional,” Barrie said back 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 don't you know they're not paying for a new G-Wagon next month.” The couple gained attention last year when with their eighth-tier club, who have just won promotion from the Isthmian League North Division, created history in the FA Cup, before their journey ended in the first round proper at League One Port Vale. Detective Inspector Lydia George, who is leading the investigation, 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." Following the raid at the club's stadium, Doug Wilkinson, deputy returning officer at Maldon District Council, apologised to voters. In a statement via 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."