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| Timothy Schofield found guilty of sexually abusing boy | Timothy Schofield found guilty of sexually abusing boy |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Timothy Schofield has been found guilty of 11 sexual offences involving a child | |
| The brother of television presenter Phillip Schofield has been found guilty of sexually abusing a boy. | The brother of television presenter Phillip Schofield has been found guilty of sexually abusing a boy. |
| Timothy Schofield, 54, from Bath denied 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019. | Timothy Schofield, 54, from Bath denied 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019. |
| Schofield, who was a civilian worker for Avon and Somerset Police at the time of the offences, was found guilty of all charges by a majority verdict. | Schofield, who was a civilian worker for Avon and Somerset Police at the time of the offences, was found guilty of all charges by a majority verdict. |
| Phillip Schofield said after the verdict: "As far as I am concerned, I no longer have a brother." | Phillip Schofield said after the verdict: "As far as I am concerned, I no longer have a brother." |
| In a statement released by his lawyer, Phillip Schofield said his brother had committed a "despicable" crime. | In a statement released by his lawyer, Phillip Schofield said his brother had committed a "despicable" crime. |
| "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." | "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." |
| Schofield arrived each day in court covering his head | |
| During the trial at Exeter Crown Court, Timothy Schofield denied performing sexual acts on the boy but admitted he had watched pornography with the teenager. | During the trial at Exeter Crown Court, Timothy Schofield denied performing sexual acts on the boy but admitted he had watched pornography with the teenager. |
| The jury previously heard how he had confessed to his TV star brother in September 2021 about watching pornography with the teenager on one occasion, claiming it had happened after the boy was 16, the age of consent. | The jury previously heard how he had confessed to his TV star brother in September 2021 about watching pornography with the teenager on one occasion, claiming it had happened after the boy was 16, the age of consent. |
| The This Morning presenter's statement continued: "If any crime had ever been confessed to me by my brother, I would have acted immediately to protect the victim and their family," adding that he welcomed the guilty verdicts. | The This Morning presenter's statement continued: "If any crime had ever been confessed to me by my brother, I would have acted immediately to protect the victim and their family," adding that he welcomed the guilty verdicts. |
| Robin Shellard, prosecuting, told the court the boy's evidence showed the abuse in fact began when he was aged 13. | Robin Shellard, prosecuting, told the court the boy's evidence showed the abuse in fact began when he was aged 13. |
| Timothy Schofield has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on 19 May. | Timothy Schofield has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on 19 May. |
| Police employment concern | |
| His employer, Avon & Somerset Police, said it would now start misconduct proceedings against him. | |
| Schofield was suspended from duty in December 2021 when the criminal proceedings started. | |
| Senior Investigating Officer Det Insp Keith Smith said: "[Schofield] 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." | |
| He added: "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." | |
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| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Bath | Bath |
| Exeter | Exeter |
| Avon and Somerset Constabulary | Avon and Somerset Constabulary |