Child sex police IT worker sacked

Tim Schofield is brother of TV star

A police IT worker convicted of 11 sexual offences against a child has been fired from the Avon and Somerset force.

Timothy Schofield, 54, is a former Gemini Radio DJ and brother of ITV presenter Phillip.

He had denied all the offences he was charged with and claimed the teenage boy he had befriended was 16 or over and therefore could give permission to engage in sexual activity. 

A jury disagreed and Mr Schofield is now in prison awaiting sentence next month.

In the meantime, his employer, Avon and Somerset Police, have sack him from his IT job at its headquarters at Portishead near Bristol.

He hasn't worked there since being suspended from duty in December 2021.

Misconduct proceedings were put on hold while the criminal investigation took priority. Now a disciplinary hearing has decided to sack him without notice.

Assistant Chief Constable Will White 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.

“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.”

After being found guilty, This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield released a statement saying as far as he is concerned, he no longer has a brother.