A former social worker from Weston-super-Mare has been jailed for sexually abusing two boys in the 1970s and 1980s. Raymond Poyner, 73, pleaded guilty to indecent assault, committed while he was working as a social worker, and was sentenced at North Somerset Courthouse on Friday, January 5.
The two men, now aged in their 50s, said their memories of the abuse will never “go away”. One of the victims was groomed and sexually assaulted by Poyner while in his care at a children’s care home in Cornwall in the 1970s. When told by police officers that the Poyner had pleaded guilty shortly before trial, he broke down in tears.
In a victim statement, prepared for the sentencing hearing, he said: “Since my childhood, what Poyner did to me sticks in my mind, it consumes a lot of my thinking and the way I view my life. I still have no trust in anyone, and even after all this time, I find it difficult to form relationships. I just cannot allow anyone to get close to me; I cannot take people into my confidence.
“Now Poyner has been sentenced there is some closure to this episode. Having said that, I don’t think I will ever put behind me the thoughts of what Poyner put me through,” he concluded.
Poyner assaulted a second boy in the 1980s, after moving to Axbridge, near Cheddar. The man, who was abused approximately 40 years ago, said the sexual abuse committed against him continues to affect his professional and personal lives, despite his wife’s love and support.
He said in a victim personal statement: “My whole life has been centred around what Poyner put me through. I have little trust in those in authority, this view is jaded by the fact Poyner was a social worker, a position of authority.
“I have always felt somewhat of an outsider, and found it difficult to form relationships. A lot of people think I am an extrovert, and have self-confidence. However, this is a disguise, and I am still a terrified teenage boy inside. What Poyner did will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
The judge, Recorder Jaron Crooknorth, stated Poyner was a predatory offender who abused a position of trust to groom young boys. Poyner pleaded guilty in October to two counts of indecent assault on a male person.
He also pleaded guilty to a third charge of possession of indecent photos of children relating to three images and one video he was found to have in January 2021. He was sentenced at North Somerset Courthouse to a total of five years and one month in prison. Poyner remains subject to a lifetime sexual harm prevention order and barred from ever working with children.
Detective Constable Mike Tarling said: “Raymond Poyner sexually abused two children the best part of 50 years ago but the impact of his crimes continues to be felt by those two men.
“Both have shown incredible strength and courage to report what happened. Without that, Poyner would never have been brought before the courts again. Poyner was convicted of a similar offence in the 1980s involving a different child and his clear predatory behaviour led to him more recently being made subject to a sexual harm prevention order.
“We hope the conclusion of these proceedings after several years of investigation and court hearings helps both men to move forward with their lives, with the ongoing support of their families and friends. But we should not pretend it wipes away the pain they continue to experience.”
DC Tarling added: “Investigating non-recent sexual abuse is among the most challenging enquiries we face, but cases like this show abusers can be brought to justice no matter how much time has passed. We urge anyone who have been abused to report what happened to us, no matter when it happened. You will be believed, your report will be taken seriously and we will focus on bringing the perpetrator to justice.”
If you have suffered abuse or would like to discuss experiences, please contact out specialist child abuse solicitor, Charles Derham on the following: