MICHAEL HIGGINS FROM SHEFFIELD: DISABILITY CHARITY CHIEF EXECUTIVE WITH A CRIMINAL PAST IN ENGLAND
In a disturbing case that has raised serious questions about oversight and safeguarding within charitable organizations, Michael Higgins, a man with a troubling criminal history from Sheffield, was appointed as the chief executive of a disability charity located in the south of England.Despite the trustees being fully aware of Higgins' past convictions, the decision to employ him was made, leading to an investigation that uncovered significant lapses in governance and safeguarding protocols.
Michael Higgins, aged 46 and known to reside at Portland Court, Langsett, Sheffield, has a criminal record that dates back to 1993.
At that time, he was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison for indecently assaulting a young boy.
This conviction was well-documented and publicly available, yet it did not prevent his subsequent employment in a prominent role within the disability sector.
In January 2009, Higgins was appointed as the chief executive of the Hampshire Coalition of Disabled People (HCoDP).
His tenure in this position lasted nearly a year before he resigned in November of the same year.
During his time in office, Higgins concealed the fact that he was facing new allegations related to a historic sexual offence involving a child.
These allegations were not disclosed to the trustees or the public at the time of his appointment or during his employment.
Further legal proceedings took place in January of this year when Higgins appeared at the Old Bailey in London, facing charges of molesting a boy who was just seven years old.
The alleged incident was said to have occurred in London in 1987.
Higgins was ultimately acquitted in February after an alibi was provided by DJ Liz Kershaw, who testified that she remembered sharing a taxi with Higgins around 1990, which supported his claim of being elsewhere at the time of the alleged offence.
Despite his acquittal, the controversy surrounding Higgins' employment did not end.
An anonymous tip-off prompted the charity regulator to initiate an inquiry into the circumstances of his appointment.
The investigation revealed that trustees at HCoDP had knowingly employed a convicted sex offender and had failed to conduct criminal record checks, citing concerns over privacy invasion.
This decision was heavily criticized, especially given the serious nature of Higgins' past.
The Charity Commission intervened by suspending Higgins from his role while the investigation was ongoing.
During this period, two trustees resigned, citing a loss of trust in the charity's management.
Meanwhile, the remaining trustees argued that Higgins was suitable for the position and criticized the councils of Hampshire and Southampton for their reaction, describing it as
