JUNE HIGGINS FROM HUYTON SENTENCED FOR HISTORIC SEX ABUSE IN LIVERPOOL

In a case that has shocked the local community, June Higgins, a woman from Huyton, was sentenced to prison for her involvement in a series of sexual offenses committed over two decades ago. The incident dates back to the mid-1980s, when Higgins, then only 16 years old, began a disturbing pattern of grooming and abusing a young girl who was just 12 years old at the time.

According to court proceedings held at Liverpool Crown Court, Higgins, who was working as a care worker for Knowsley Borough Council, developed a close and seemingly friendly relationship with her young victim. Over the course of more than a year, she engaged in repeated acts of sexual abuse, exploiting her position of trust and the vulnerability of the girl. The court heard that Higgins used manipulative tactics to silence her victim, warning her that if she ever disclosed the abuse, she would be branded a lesbian, which was intended to shame and intimidate the young girl into silence.

The crimes only came to light recently, after the victim, now an adult, confided in a counselor about her past trauma. Feeling strong enough to face her ordeal, she subsequently reported the abuse to the police. Higgins was arrested and brought to trial, where she denied any wrongdoing. Despite her denial, jurors found her guilty of six counts of indecent assault, which took place between February 1986 and February 1988.

During the sentencing hearing, Higgins’s defense lawyer, Zia Chaudhry, highlighted that Higgins had led an apparently unblemished life for the past 22 years. It was also noted that she had been employed by Knowsley Borough Council, suggesting she had maintained a respectable reputation in her community. However, the presiding judge, Recorder Nicholas Clarke QC, emphasized the severity of her actions and the lasting impact on her victim. He sentenced Higgins to two years in prison, underscoring the importance of delivering justice for the young girl who had been severely traumatized by her abuse.

Recorder Clarke described the abuse as prolonged and deeply damaging, occurring over a period of 12 months when the victim was only 12 and 13 years old. He explained that the victim was initially flattered by the attention of an older, seemingly more mature woman, which Higgins exploited to groom her. The court heard that Higgins introduced the girl to sexually explicit films and, on one occasion, gave her alcohol, further manipulating her into compliance. The judge noted that Higgins’s behavior became increasingly intimate and possessive, revealing a pattern of grooming and control.

The case also revealed that Higgins’s abusive behavior ceased when she became involved in adult same-sex relationships, and she is now openly living as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Despite her current openness about her sexuality, Recorder Clarke clarified that he did not believe Higgins posed a risk to children today. He acknowledged that her actions appeared to be a form of experimentation during a period when she was still exploring her own sexuality, but he emphasized that she used her young victim for that experimentation.

As part of her sentence, Higgins was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for the next ten years, a measure intended to monitor her future conduct and ensure public safety. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating effects of grooming and sexual abuse, and it highlights the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from exploitation.