Phillip Schofield’s brother has been sacked from his job as a police IT worker after he was convicted for sexually abusing a teenage boy.
Timothy Schofield – brother of TV star Phillip – was found guilty of 11 sexual offences involving a child, including two of sexual activity with a child, after a trial at Exeter Crown Court earlier this month.
The 54-year-old from Bath worked in IT for Avon and Somerset Police and has now been fired from his role.
Schofield had already been suspended from his job at police HQ in Portishead after he was arrested and charged.
Following his convictions, a misconduct hearing was chaired by assistant chief constable Will White and he was dismissed without notice.
Mr White outlined the findings of the panel and said: ‘Timothy Schofield committed a series of manipulative and exploitative offences against someone in a position of vulnerability.
‘The details and impact of his criminality were distressing to read for the panel, as they would be for members of the public.’
He continued: ‘The panel is grateful for the courage shown by the victim and all those who provided information and evidence to the investigation team, which resulted in him being brought to justice for these abhorrent crimes.
‘Timothy Schofield’s position as a member of a police organisation makes his responsibility all the greater in terms of his offending behaviour.
‘The harm he’s caused has been serious and extensive.
‘His criminal conviction undermines the public’s trust and confidence in the police service and its employees who work tirelessly to build that trust, particularly at this time of national scrutiny.’
Victim Support
Victim Support offers support to survivors of rape and sexual abuse. You can contact them on 0333 300 6389.
During the trial, Schofield said he had watched pornography with the boy – whom he insisted was over the age of 16 at that time – and they had masturbated while sitting apart, but denied performing sexual acts on the teenager.
Jurors previously heard the defendant told his elder brother Phillip in September 2021 that he and the complainant had watched pornography together.
Following his brother’s conviction, This Morning host 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.
‘These are despicable crimes, and I welcome the guilty verdicts.
‘As far as I am concerned, I no longer have a brother.’
Schofield was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at Bristol Crown Court on May 19.
