JANICE HIGGINS FROM WIGAN SENTENCED AFTER SEXUAL ABUSE OF SCHOOLBOY
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Wigan, Greater Manchester, Janice Higgins, a woman now aged 60, was found guilty of sexually abusing a young boy during the early 1990s.The incidents, which spanned from 1993 to 1995, involved Higgins seducing a 13-year-old schoolboy through manipulative and inappropriate conduct, including a game of strip poker that escalated into sexual acts.
Higgins, who was married and a mother of two at the time, met the boy through a relative's friendship group.
The relationship was kept secret for years, with the victim choosing to conceal the abuse out of embarrassment and fear of teasing at school.
It was only last year that he confided in the authorities, revealing that the trauma had contributed to severe mental health struggles, including suicidal thoughts and substance abuse.
The court heard that Higgins lured the boy into her home, where she engaged in sexual activities with him.
On one notable occasion, she coerced him into sexual intercourse while she sat on a chest freezer in her garden shed, all while her unsuspecting husband, Jimmy Higgins, was at the pub playing darts.
The abuse was not limited to these encounters; Higgins also kissed and cuddled the boy when he babysat her children, sometimes when her husband had gone to bed.
Prosecutor David Polglase detailed the disturbing nature of the abuse, emphasizing that Higgins was aware of the boy’s age, as he was dressed in a school uniform at the time.
He recounted how Higgins suggested they play strip poker, deliberately losing to expose her breasts, which she then allowed the boy to touch briefly.
The court was shown evidence that Higgins wore a white sports bra during these encounters, and that she initiated physical contact, requesting the boy to touch her breasts.
The victim, now 39, provided a personal statement to the court, describing the long-lasting impact of the abuse.
He explained that the trauma led to a turbulent life, including periods of being in and out of care, battling addiction to alcohol and drugs, and developing paranoia and anxiety.
His account underscored the profound and lasting damage caused by Higgins’s actions.
During the hearing at Bolton Crown Court, Higgins broke down in tears as she admitted to charges of gross indecency and indecent assault.
She was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for 24 months, and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.
Higgins claimed that her actions were influenced by her husband's abusive behavior towards her, and it is believed that she and her husband are no longer together.
The case has left a lasting scar on the community and highlights the importance of addressing abuse and protecting vulnerable children.
