03 April 2023 , 15:23
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Timothy Schofield, brother of This Morning star Phillip Schofield, has been found guilty at Exeter Crown Court of sexually abusing a teenage boy over a period of three years.
Timothy, 54, was charged with 11 sexual offences involving a child between 2016 and 2019, including two of sexual activity with a child.
Schofield denied performing sexual acts on the teenager and claimed they watched pornography together and had masturbated while sitting apart.
The defendant is an IT technician for Avon and Somerset Police.
Timothy (pictured under the coat) was found guilty by Exeter Crown Court (PA)
Schofield, 54, has been remanded in custody (PA)The boy, who alleged the offending started when he was 13, told the jury he felt "emotionally blackmailed" by Timothy and "forced" to participate in sexual activity.
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He told the court: "I felt that emotionally there was no escape from what we had to do and I felt that there was a tremendous amount of pressure and expectation for me to fulfil what was being asked and wanted."
The victim told the trial the defendant made him watch adult porn and he felt powerless to escape the situations orchestrated by his abuser.
"It very much felt there wasn't a way out," he told police. "When I said 'no' he was never too happy." He said Schofield was not violent but he felt “emotionally blackmailed” by him.
Schofield tried to normalise the abuse, he said. "It was so overwhelming," the victim added. "It felt really wrong and something that didn't feel right.
"It was never something I enjoyed, never something that was good."
On Monday, Mrs Justice Johannah Cutts told Schofield: "I am not going to sentence you today, I want to know a little more about you, particularly the mental health problems you have spoken about at this trial.", reports DevonLive.
The victim told the court that Schofield had "tried to normalise the abuse" (Avon and Somerset Police)
Mrs Justice Johannah Cutts said she would like to "know more" about Schofield (PA)On Friday, the jury heard closing speeches from the barrister representing the Crown and Schofield’s lawyer.
Robin Shellard, prosecuting, said: “There are good reasons why society – and we here are all part of this society and the law which is founded because of society – treats those under 18 and those under 16 not as full adults.
“Society tries to protect children from adults who want to abuse them and tries to protect children from themselves.”
“We are not dealing with morals but criminal abuse against a child.”
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“We say the evidence shows the boy is not motivated by hate and lies," Mr Shellard said.
Peter Binder, defending, said: “This is a court of law and not a court of public morals, and it's entirely proper, due to the oaths and affirmations you have taken, to put aside all your feelings of antipathy and revulsion you feel towards the defendant and try this case and these charges on the evidence.
“You must be utterly dispassionate.
“This case boils down one person’s word – that of the boy – against the other – that of the defendant.”
Schofield, of Bath, denied three counts of causing a child to watch sexual activity, three of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, three of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and two of sexual activity with a child.
Phillip Schofield did not appear on ITV’s This Morning last week and the studio said he was taking “pre-planned leave”.
Phillip has publicly disowned his brother (ITV)Following the verdict, a lawyer acting on behalf of Phillip Schofield shared a statement reading: "My overwhelming concern is and has always been for the wellbeing of the victim and his family. I hope that their privacy will now be respected.
"If any crime had ever been confessed to me by my brother, I would have acted immediately to protect the victim and their family.
"These are despicable crimes, and I welcome the guilty verdicts. As far as I am concerned, I no longer have a brother"
He has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at Bristol Crown Court on May 19.
Avon and Somerset Police say they were first informed via a third party on December 3, 2021, and immediately launched an investigation – with the defendant being arrested later that day.
Within 48 hours, he had been charged with criminal offences and was due to appear in court.
Senior Investigating Officer Det Insp Keith Smith said: |This defendant has exploited and abused the victim by carrying out a sickening series of offences over a significant period of time.
"The impact on the victim has been immense and they've shown incredible bravery in disclosing the crimes committed against them, and by supporting the subsequent police investigation throughout.
"We hope this outcome will provide some comfort and enable them to recover from the abuse they've had inflicted on them.
"Although the defendant does not work in a public-facing role, and the offences are not linked to his employment, we know the fact he works for the police will be a matter of public concern.
"Until these criminal allegations were reported in December 2021, there were no previous allegations or complaints made to the police against this defendant.
"Once reported, officers carried out a thorough investigation, building a file of evidence and speaking to a number of witnesses, resulting in the defendant being charged and subsequently convicted of serious offences.
"Misconduct proceedings can now recommence at pace, and the defendant is due to be sentenced on May 19 at Bristol Crown Court.
"While the majority of police officers, staff and volunteers dedicate themselves to public service and keeping our communities safe, we know the public’s trust and confidence in policing nationally has been damaged by recent incidents.
"To repair the damage these incidents have undoubtedly caused, we must continue to take decisive action and be clear what standards we expect from our people. Where these standards are not met, we will take robust action to ensure those who let us all down cannot remain in policing."
* If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999