31 March 2023 , 15:17
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Timothy Schofield's is "self-pitying" with only thoughts for himself, a court heard on the final day of his sex abuse trial.
Schofield, 54, is on trial at Exeter Crown Court, accused of 11 charges of interfering with a child, which he denies.
In the trial it has been alleged Schofield, of Bath, sexually abused a child over the space of three years between 2016 and 2019.
One charge involves a sex act with a child. Others include allegedly forcing the victim to watch pornography.
After five days, the evidence concluded, with the jury set to consider their verdict.
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Today, prosecutor Mr Robin Shellard, said in his closing speech that the defendant had given an "incoherent and garbled" account of his behaviour to the jury.
Timothy Schofield (left) yesterday as he arrived at Exeter Crown Court (PA)
He covered his face with a coat as he made his way to the court (PA)"You might think it was self-pitying with thoughts only of himself," he said.
Mr Shellard said that by contrast, the account given by the alleged victim was calm, consistent and assured.
When asked by his barrister Peter Binder whether he had performed sexual acts on the teenager, Schofield replied on the stand: "Absolutely not."
The defendant told the jury that he watched pornography with the male, who he insists was over 16 at the time and that they had masturbated while sitting apart.
Timothy Schofield (left) with brother Phillip (Instagram)Giving evidence on Thursday, the defendant said he had been gay his "entire life" but had kept it "completely secret and hidden from everybody".
Schofield went on to say that it was "incredibly difficult" to refrain from being his true self and he had struggled with his mental health for several years.
The defendant cried as he was asked about phoning his brother before driving to his home in London in September 2021.
Peter Binder, representing Schofield, asked him: "Phillip described you as being in an extreme state of agitation?"
Schofield replied: "Yes. I remember sitting in a field and making the phone call to him."
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Timothy Schofield (right) is on trial at Exeter Crown Court (This Morning)Binder went on to ask: "You told him you were on the verge of killing yourself?", before Schofield said: "That's correct, I was so alone."
On Wednesday, the court heard a statement from Phillip, which described the phone call and his brother coming to his home in London, appearing "as angry as I have ever" seen him.
Phillip described how they spent several hours talking, including eating a meal, before he went to do the washing-up.
The TV presenter stated his sibling told him “You are going to hate me for what I am about to say” before telling the TV star he had “had watched porn… and (masturbated)” with a teenager.
Exeter Crown Court heard a statement from TV presenter Phillip SchofieldPhillip told Schofield how he “didn’t want to know any of the details but he [Timothy] made it sound like a one-off”, before making it clear to Timothy “it should never happen again."
The statement added how Phillip suggested to his brother to seek medical advice and get counselling “to take the edge of the anger”.