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Boy describes impact of being abused by Timothy Schofield

A victim personal statement from the boy was read by prosecution barrister Robin Shellard.

Claire Hayhurst
Friday 19 May 2023 13:04 BST
Timothy Schofield, the brother of TV presenter Phillip Schofield, appearing in the dock at Bristol Crown Court (Elizabeth Cook/PA)
Timothy Schofield, the brother of TV presenter Phillip Schofield, appearing in the dock at Bristol Crown Court (Elizabeth Cook/PA) (PA Wire)

The boy abused by Timothy Schofield, the brother of TV star Phillip Schofield, detailed the impact of what happened in a statement to Bristol Crown Court on Friday.

Timothy Schofield was jailed for 12 years at the court after being convicted of 11 child sex offences during a trial at Exeter Crown Court in April.

A victim personal statement from the boy was read by prosecution barrister Robin Shellard.

Avon and Somerset Police later released the following sections of the statement with the boy’s approval.

The extract said: “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 and 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.

“When I think about what happened, it wasn’t just what happened to me, it was who it made me become.

“I felt trampled on and feel I became a person who didn’t expect a lot from people and how they treated me and therefore, I didn’t get a lot.

“I feel numb to life and I know I should feel really happy or really sad but I don’t have the ability to emotionally connect with what is happening.”

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