Timothy Schofield; brother of This Morning host Phillip Schofield sentenced to 12 years this morning

TW: content includes description of sexual assault

The brother of This Morning host Phillip Schofield has been sentenced this morning at Bristol Crown Court after being found guilty of 11 counts of 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two of sexual activity with a child. Timothy Schofield, 54, was convicted of the offences last month and now finds himself sentenced to 12 years in prison. He must sign as a sex offender for life and is barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.

Before handing out the sentence, The Honourable Mrs Justice Cutts reminded Schofield that when the victim got a girlfriend Schofield felt like a "jealous lover". It was the boy who finally told Schofield the abuse would happen no more. The abuse had a devastating impact on (the boy) and his family. The judge said: "Doing what you did you thought only of yourself. Only of yourself."

Schofield denied the charges but 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. During the trial the boy, who alleged the offending started when he was 13, told the jury he felt “emotionally blackmailed” by Timothy Schofield and “forced” to participate in sexual activity.

He 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 fulfill what was being asked and wanted.”

The sentencing no doubt will throw speculation of the future of Phillip Schofield and how tenable his role on This Morning will be, after a week of turmoil including sources claiming a frosty showing from fellow host Holly Willoughby behind the camera and claims that Willoughby was considering quitting her role. 

ITV executives have been trying to ensure the wildfire does not spread out of control, but today’s sentencing might leave many to question if Phillip Schofield is suitable now to continue his role as a presenter of a mid-morning television show, knowing that his brother’s sentencing looms even more over his shoulder now.