MICHAEL HIGGINBOTTOM FROM NEWCASTLE AND ORMSKIRK SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN UPHOLLAND
| Red Rose Database
Newcastle Ormskirk Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Newcastle and Ormskirk, Michael Higginbottom, a Catholic priest, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed during the 1970s. The crimes took place while Higginbottom was serving as a teacher at St Joseph's College, a now-closed boarding school located in Upholland, Lancashire. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse inflicted upon a teenage boy who was a student at the seminary, a place designed for young boys aspiring to become priests.
According to court records, the victim, now in his 50s, attended the seminary for six months when he was between 13 and 14 years old. During this period, Higginbottom, then aged 74, exploited the trust placed in him as an authority figure. The victim's statement, read aloud in court, painted a harrowing picture of repeated trauma. He described how the abuse was so frequent that he became emotionally numb, crying often and feeling overwhelmed by despair. The victim expressed that he used to pray for death as a means of escape, stating, “There are worse things than death – living with an evil man and being left alone at Upholland.”
The court heard that Higginbottom would summon the boy to his living quarters at designated times, where much of the abuse occurred. The first incident reportedly happened about a week after the boy arrived at the school. The victim recounted how Higginbottom invited him into his room, locked the door, and ordered him to undress before subjecting him to sexual assault. This traumatic event marked the beginning of a series of abuses that would leave lasting scars. The victim also revealed that upon returning home from Upholland, he became rebellious, and his academic performance declined significantly. He reflected on the profound impact of the abuse, saying, “Upholland, and him, have stolen so much of my being. I had to salvage something out of this empty shell.”
Further allegations surfaced during the trial, including accusations against two other priests at the school, both of whom have since passed away. The defense, represented by Adam Birkby, argued that Higginbottom had since led a “positive” life as a parish priest and suffered from health issues such as type-2 diabetes and a heart condition. Despite denying the charges, Higginbottom was found guilty after a trial that lasted several days. The court also learned that during his tenure as a physics teacher at the school, Higginbottom employed cruel disciplinary methods, including administering electric shocks to pupils as punishment. Judge Andrew Menary QC condemned Higginbottom’s actions, stating, “You employed methods which today, if not then, would be recognized for what they were – cruel and sadistic bullying.”
Historical allegations against Higginbottom had previously been made in 2007 by another former pupil, leading to a civil settlement of £35,000 paid by the Catholic Church. Although police investigated these claims and Higginbottom was charged, no evidence was presented in court, resulting in not guilty verdicts. Nevertheless, the court confirmed that Higginbottom would be subject to lifelong notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act.
Higginbottom, who resides on West Farm Road in Newcastle, denied all charges initially, claiming he did not remember the victim and that the allegations were fabricated, possibly for financial gain. The jury, however, convicted him on all counts by a majority of 10-2 after more than ten hours of deliberation. Prosecutors emphasized the breach of trust and the horrific nature of the abuse, which began shortly after the victim started boarding at the college at age 12 or 13. The victim’s testimony described the college as “a cold, dark and forbidding place,” where he endured mental, physical, and sexual abuse.
He recounted that the abuse only ceased when he deliberately stole a watch to get expelled, which he did to escape the torment. The victim reported the abuse to authorities in 2013 after confiding in a friend, who encouraged him to contact the police. In a recorded interview, he described Higginbottom as “evil,” emphasizing the lasting impact of the trauma. Higginbottom’s arrest in April 2015 was met with his denial of the allegations, asserting that he allowed boys into his room for innocent reasons, such as making coffee or watching television, which was common practice at the time. The prosecution highlighted that Higginbottom had consistently denied any attraction to boys or men.
Additional context revealed that in 2014, the victim had contacted solicitors after reading an article about Higginbottom’s civil case, which resulted in a £35,000 settlement. The victim stated that his primary concern was justice, not compensation, and expressed anger that the focus was on financial restitution rather than accountability. Judge Menary indicated that Higginbottom would be sentenced the following Thursday and ordered his continued detention pending sentencing. The case underscores the long-lasting effects of abuse and the importance of justice for victims, especially in cases involving trusted figures like clergy members.
According to court records, the victim, now in his 50s, attended the seminary for six months when he was between 13 and 14 years old. During this period, Higginbottom, then aged 74, exploited the trust placed in him as an authority figure. The victim's statement, read aloud in court, painted a harrowing picture of repeated trauma. He described how the abuse was so frequent that he became emotionally numb, crying often and feeling overwhelmed by despair. The victim expressed that he used to pray for death as a means of escape, stating, “There are worse things than death – living with an evil man and being left alone at Upholland.”
The court heard that Higginbottom would summon the boy to his living quarters at designated times, where much of the abuse occurred. The first incident reportedly happened about a week after the boy arrived at the school. The victim recounted how Higginbottom invited him into his room, locked the door, and ordered him to undress before subjecting him to sexual assault. This traumatic event marked the beginning of a series of abuses that would leave lasting scars. The victim also revealed that upon returning home from Upholland, he became rebellious, and his academic performance declined significantly. He reflected on the profound impact of the abuse, saying, “Upholland, and him, have stolen so much of my being. I had to salvage something out of this empty shell.”
Further allegations surfaced during the trial, including accusations against two other priests at the school, both of whom have since passed away. The defense, represented by Adam Birkby, argued that Higginbottom had since led a “positive” life as a parish priest and suffered from health issues such as type-2 diabetes and a heart condition. Despite denying the charges, Higginbottom was found guilty after a trial that lasted several days. The court also learned that during his tenure as a physics teacher at the school, Higginbottom employed cruel disciplinary methods, including administering electric shocks to pupils as punishment. Judge Andrew Menary QC condemned Higginbottom’s actions, stating, “You employed methods which today, if not then, would be recognized for what they were – cruel and sadistic bullying.”
Historical allegations against Higginbottom had previously been made in 2007 by another former pupil, leading to a civil settlement of £35,000 paid by the Catholic Church. Although police investigated these claims and Higginbottom was charged, no evidence was presented in court, resulting in not guilty verdicts. Nevertheless, the court confirmed that Higginbottom would be subject to lifelong notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act.
Higginbottom, who resides on West Farm Road in Newcastle, denied all charges initially, claiming he did not remember the victim and that the allegations were fabricated, possibly for financial gain. The jury, however, convicted him on all counts by a majority of 10-2 after more than ten hours of deliberation. Prosecutors emphasized the breach of trust and the horrific nature of the abuse, which began shortly after the victim started boarding at the college at age 12 or 13. The victim’s testimony described the college as “a cold, dark and forbidding place,” where he endured mental, physical, and sexual abuse.
He recounted that the abuse only ceased when he deliberately stole a watch to get expelled, which he did to escape the torment. The victim reported the abuse to authorities in 2013 after confiding in a friend, who encouraged him to contact the police. In a recorded interview, he described Higginbottom as “evil,” emphasizing the lasting impact of the trauma. Higginbottom’s arrest in April 2015 was met with his denial of the allegations, asserting that he allowed boys into his room for innocent reasons, such as making coffee or watching television, which was common practice at the time. The prosecution highlighted that Higginbottom had consistently denied any attraction to boys or men.
Additional context revealed that in 2014, the victim had contacted solicitors after reading an article about Higginbottom’s civil case, which resulted in a £35,000 settlement. The victim stated that his primary concern was justice, not compensation, and expressed anger that the focus was on financial restitution rather than accountability. Judge Menary indicated that Higginbottom would be sentenced the following Thursday and ordered his continued detention pending sentencing. The case underscores the long-lasting effects of abuse and the importance of justice for victims, especially in cases involving trusted figures like clergy members.