Schoolboy ‘forced into sex acts by Phillip Schofield’s younger brother while porn was projected on wall’, court hears

28 March 2023, 20:01 | Updated: 29 March 2023, 14:33

Phillip Schofield's younger brother Timothy (right) sexually abused a teenage boy over three years before confessing some of his crimes to the presenter, a court has heard.
Phillip Schofield's younger brother Timothy (right) sexually abused a teenage boy over three years before confessing some of his crimes to the presenter, a court has heard. Picture: This Morning

By Emma Soteriou

A schoolboy allegedly abused by Phillip Schofield’s younger brother, Timothy, has told a court that he was "forced" to engage in sex acts while porn was projected on a wall.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Civilian police worker Timothy Schofield is charged with 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, which are alleged to have started when the victim was a teenager.

The most serious charge involved a sex act with the child.

Other alleged offences include forcing the child to watch pornography and to engage in sexual activity as well as engaging in sexual activity in the child's presence.

Read more: Phillip Schofield's younger brother Timothy 'sexually abused teenage boy over three years', court hears

Phillip Schofield with his brother and mum
Phillip Schofield with his brother and mum. Picture: Social media

Peter Binder, defending, told Exeter Crown Court on Tuesday that Schofield "does not dispute" that he and the complainant watched pornography together and that they would "masturbate" when they did so, but disputes "when it started".

The barrister added that Schofield "never" suggested any other form of sexual activity.

The court previously heard that the 54-year-old carried out the alleged attacks while working for Avon and Somerset Police as an IT technician.

The complainant appeared in court on Tuesday by videolink to be cross-examined, whereby jurors heard that he felt "emotionally blackmailed" by Timothy Schofield.

Mr Binder asked: "You told the police you felt you were emotionally blackmailed and in effect forced to go along with what was happening. That is not true is it?"

The complainant replied: "No, that is correct."

The case is being heard at Exeter crown court
The case is being heard at Exeter crown court. Picture: Alamy

Asked later by the judge to expand on what he meant by saying he felt "forced", the complainant said: "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, and I felt that that was why I was feeling forced to participate."

Schofield disputes when the activity took place, jurors heard.

"It is his case that you have exaggerated the length of time that this practice went on for, that it only lasted 18 months or so from when you were 16 to roughly 17 and a half and that is right, is it not?" Mr Binder said.

The complainant said: "No, I disagree with that statement, that is wrong."

Asked when he believed the alleged offending started, the complainant said: "I would say that I was around 13 years old."

Mr Binder later added: "The activity... started when you were 16 years of age. You didn't want to admit to that, I suggest, because it would be difficult for anyone to accept that at that age you would have gone along with it unwillingly.

"You were making out it was worse than it was - that you were younger and that there had been coercion because you didn't want to admit the truth, I suggest."

The complainant replied: "I feel that all the statements you just made are completely incorrect and false."

Schofield, of Bath, denies 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.

The trial, expected to last a week, continues.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Israel Palestinians

Israel announces resumption of combat in Gaza Strip as truce with Hamas expires

Parts of the UK are set to see 5cm of snow on Friday

Brits to get 5cm of snow in wintry blast as temperatures plummet to -10C, after schools close

The IDF said fighting had resumed

Israel-Hamas restarts as truce deadline expires, after IDF intercepts missile fired from Gaza

Released prisoner

Israeli military confirms release of six more hostages in Gaza Strip

Rishi Sunak will call for an "era of action" on the climate

Sunak to call for 'era of action' on climate at Cop28 - despite watering down green measures at home

Omid Scobie has insisted he never sent out a book including two royals' names amid racism allegations

Dutch translator on Omid Scobie's Endgame insists she was sent manuscript with two royals' names in race row

Lloyds banking group is closing more branches in 2024.

Lloyds group to close 45 branches as Labour pledges to keep banks back on the high street - is your local affected?

Hall and Oates

Hall and Oates row: Judge extends pause on Oates’ sale of stake in business

Hamas has claimed Israel is refusing to take back the bodies of the Bibas family

Hamas releases propaganda video of father of 10-month-old Kfir Bibas saying Israel refuses to take his family's bodies

Police clashed with Legia Warsaw fans

Three officers injured as Polish football fans unleash 'planned and systematic violence' on police ahead of Villa game

William and Kate dazzled on the red carpet as they brushed off Scobie's claims

William and Kate all smiles on red carpet as royals brush aside storm around Omid Scobie's book Endgame

Opec sign

Saudi Arabia extends cut in oil it sends to world in bid to boost prices

Exclusive
An 18-month row over pay, job security and conditions has come to an end, for now

'Provoke us again and we will respond in kind': Mick Lynch issues new threat to government after pay deal halts strikes

Matt Hancock appeared at the Covid inquiry on Thursday

Cummings a 'malign actor' and 'missed opportunities': 11 revelations from Matt Hancock's Covid inquiry appearance

Phillip Hancock

Man executed in Oklahoma over double killing in 2001

Milei has backed his country's claim to the Falklands

Britain 'stands firmly' with Falkland Islands as minister pays visit in fresh warning to Argentina's eccentric president