Timothy Schofield – the brother of television presenter Phillip – has been jailed for 12 years after being found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy.
A jury at Bristol Crown Court found the 54-year-old on 11 charges of sexual offences between October 2016 and October 2019.
Schofield – who denied the charges – was convicted of 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.
After the verdict brother Phillip, 61, said in a statement:
“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 sibling, 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.”
His brother’s trial has caused a rift between Phillip Scofield and his This Morning co-presenter Holly Willoughby.
Ms Willoughby – a mother-of-three is reported to be “deeply upset” by the hearing.
It’s reported by ITV insiders the “warring” presenting couple could be axed from the show.