A 73-year-old former social worker, Raymond Poyner, has been sentenced to five years and one month in prison for sexually abusing two boys who were under his care during the 1970s and 1980s. The sentencing took place at North Somerset Courthouse on Friday, January 5.
The victims, both now in their 50s, bravely came forward to reveal the traumatic experiences they endured in their youth. They emphasized that the memories of the abuse inflicted upon them would never fade.
Poyner, residing in Weston-super-Mare, had worked as a residential social worker in Cornwall during the 1970s. During his time there, he groomed and sexually assaulted a boy under his care at a children’s care home. The victim, upon being informed of Poyner’s guilty plea before the trial, broke down in tears.
In a poignant victim statement presented during the sentencing hearing, he shared the lasting impact of the abuse: “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.”
Despite the sentencing of Poyner, the victim admitted that he might never fully recover from the ordeal.
Poyner later relocated to the Axbridge area in the 1980s, where he committed indecent assault against a second boy. This survivor, approximately 40 years after the abuse, still grapples with its repercussions, which have permeated both his professional and personal life.
He disclosed in a victim’s 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.”
Describing the internal struggle he faces, he added, “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.”
He concluded that Poyner’s actions would “stay with me for the rest of my life.”
In October, Poyner pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault on a male person. He also pleaded guilty to a third charge related to the possession of indecent photos of children, including three images and one video, discovered in January 2021.
Upon sentencing, Poyner received a lifetime sexual harm prevention order and is prohibited from working with children.
Recorder Jaron Crooknorth, presiding over the case, described Poyner as a predatory offender who had abused the trust placed in him to groom and exploit young boys.
Detective Constable Mike Tarling praised the victims for their strength and courage in coming forward. He emphasized that the pain they experienced continues, even after many years. Tarling also encouraged all survivors of abuse to report their experiences, assuring them that they will be taken seriously and justice will be pursued.
He stated, “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.”
