19 May 2023 , 12:59
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A powerful victim statement from Timothy Schofield's accuser was heard inside Bristol Crown Court today.
The young brother of TV star Phillip Schofield was sentenced to 12 years in prison this morning, after being found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy over a period of three years at Exeter Crown Court on April 3.
Schofield, 54, was charged with 11 sexual offences involving a child between 2016 and 2019, including two of sexual activity with a child.
When sentencing Schofield today [May 19], Mrs Justice Cutts told him: "You exploited his innocence at this stage of his life for your own sexual gratification. It was wrong on every level for you to behave as you did.
"He felt forced to do what you wanted, trapped and unable to escape. He felt he couldn’t tell anyone and did not do so for many years.
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The brother of This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield was sentenced to 12 years in prison (Instagram/ Phillip Schofield)"You took away his ability to be the teenager he should have been – carefree, relaxed, happy. It is clear to me that you became utterly obsessed with him."
She added, according to PA: "Your actions and behaviour have had a devastating impact on the boy. In doing what you did, you thought only of yourself. I have not heard a single word of remorse from you, only self-pity."
The judge commended the courage of the boy for reporting the abuse.
Detective Inspector Keith Smith of Avon and Somerset Police said outside court today that the boy abused by Schofield showed "remarkable bravery" and he hoped this would encourage other victims of sexual offences to come forward.
In a victim personal statement read to the court by Robin Shellard, prosecuting, the boy said he felt "numb to life" following the abuse.
Schofield covering his face as he left Exeter Crown Court on March 30 (PA)The statement read: "Before Tim was arrested, I felt I had no freedom. I often felt panic, stress and fear. I felt like I was trapped in a loop of fear and anxiety of the abuse happening again.
"It was only after Tim was arrested that I felt safe. It was only after Tim was arrested that I felt free – free to be me, free to be happy, free to be relaxed."
The boy added: "I feel more blunt, I feel more bitter, I feel numb to life. I know I should feel really happy or really sad but I don’t have the ability to emotionally connect to what is happening."
Schofield, who was dismissed by his former employer Avon and Somerset Police following the conviction, was remanded into custody by Mrs Justice Cutts after a verdict was reached on April 3.
This Morning host Phillip has disowned his brother (Instagram)Following a jury reaching a guilty verdict, Schofield's brother, TV star Phillip Schofield, issued a statement and disowned his younger sibling.
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In a post shared via his lawyer and on social media, This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield wrote: "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."
* 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