Phillip Schofield says he “I no longer have a brother” after his sibling was found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy over a three year period.
Timothy Schofield, 54, was charged with 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019.
A jury at Exeter Crown Court found him guilty of all counts with a majority of 10-2 after more than five-and-a-half hours of deliberation.
He denied the charges but was convicted of 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.
(Image: This Morning)
Timothy, a civilian police worker from Bath, told the jury he had watched pornography with the boy, who he insisted was aged over 16 at that time, and they had masturbated while sat apart, but denied performing sexual acts on the teenager.
He has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at Bristol Crown Court on May 19.
In a statement released by his lawyer after Timothy was found guilty, TV presenter Phillip said: “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.
(Image: PA)
“These are despicable crimes, and I welcome the guilty verdicts. As far as I am concerned, I no longer have a brother.”
Phillip previously described in a written statement, which was read out in court, how his brother had phoned him in an agitated and upset state, and the ITV star had invited him to drive to his home in London.
The court heard they spent several hours talking, including eating a meal, before he went to do the washing-up.
The defendant admitted to watching pornography with the boy, who he claimed was aged over 16 at that time, and they had masturbated while sat apart.
Phillip said the talk between the two men ended with him asking “what the hell” he meant by saying he had spent “time” with the teenager and he would never speak about it with him again.
(Image: Avon and Somerset Police)
The This Morning presenter added: “I don’t have a relationship with Tim like a brother. There are seven years between us and I moved away when he was 10.”
The defendant said he had felt suicidal at the time he visited his brother and wept as he gave evidence, saying he had been gay his entire life but had hidden it from everyone.
However, he denied performing sex acts on the teenager, replying: “Absolutely not,” when asked if he did so by his barrister Peter Binder.
The alleged victim previously told the court the defendant had used a projector to play adult pornography on the wall while he abused him.
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He added: “It was never something I enjoyed, never something that was good.”
Police have welcomed the conviction of Timothy and paid tribute to the bravery of his victim.
He was suspended from duty in December 2021 while these criminal proceedings progressed.
Now he has been convicted, a misconduct hearing will be held as soon as possible.
Avon and Somerset Police have released a statement that says police were first informed of the offences through a third party on December 3, 2021.
(Image: PA)
An investigation was immediately launched and the defendant was arrested on the same day.
Within 48 hours of the allegations being reported, he was charged with criminal offences 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.
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
“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.
(Image: schofe/Instagram)
“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.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
