Phillip Schofield's brother 'sexually abused teenage boy over three years'

Phillip Schofield's younger brother sexually abused a teenage boy over three years, a court has heard.

Timothy Schofield, 54, is standing trial at Exeter Crown Court, accused of 11 charges of interfering with a child, beginning when the alleged victim was a teenager.

One charge involves a sex act with a teenager. Others include allegedly forcing the child to watch pornography and watch him while he "engaged in a sexual activity".

The alleged offences, which Schofield denies, took place between 2016 and 2019.

Schofield, a civilian police worker, arrived at court wearing an open-necked shirt and baseball cap. He wore a face mask and jacket over his head to avoid photographers.

As the charges against him were read out, he shook his head.

Schofield is understood to have allegedly committed the offences while working for Avon and Somerset Police.

The court heard how “shocked” Phillip replied “what did you just say?” after his brother confessed to a sex act with a teenager.

Timothy went to his brother's house on September 2021, and admitted he had “time” with the teenager where they watched porn and performed sex acts together.

The court heard Phillip replied: “What the hell is time? That should never happen again.”

Opening the case, prosecutor Pete Stellard said: "The defendant is seven years younger than Phillip and they had not been particularly close growing up, however in December 2019 the defendant told his brother he was gay.

“According to Phillip the defendant travelled up that day [September 2021] and he was extremely agitated.

“His brother described him as very angry and distressed. The defendant also told his brother that he was impotent.

“The defendant then said his brother would hate him for what he was about to say, his brother said that he wouldn’t and then the defendant said he had their time together and that last year they had watched porn and w***** together."

The alleged victim is understood to have confided in This Morning host Phillip, who helped him report it.

Mrs Justice Johanna Cutts warned the jury not to be distracted by Phillip Schofield's celebrity status.

Phillip did not host This Morning today and was replaced by Alison Hammond.