Airbnb Spice coach at gigs
Paedophile Bob Higgins VICTIMS of a predatory football coach who abused young boys for more than 20 years hailed justice as he was finally found guilty.
Bob Higgins, 66, sexually touched and groped 24 boys, mostly trainees at Southampton FC and Peterborough United, from 1971 to 1996.
In a joint statement, his victims last night said his “arrogance and lies” had finally caught up with him.
They added: “When he returned to court... he gave a clear message to us all with his refusal to accept responsibility for what he did to us as children. That made us all stronger and more determined.
“At last, after all these years, we can finally get a sense of closure and try to move on from this nightmare.”
Yesterday, Higgins was found guilty of 45 charges of indecent assault against teenage boys. Bournemouth crown court heard his status as a “Godlike” figure enabled decades of abuse, with victims too fearful to come forward.
Prosecutors previously said Higgins was “idolised” by trainees. He held “supreme power over their footballing futures”. Many described him as a mentor and father figure.
The coach worked with young players who would go on to become stars, such as Matt Le Tissier and Alan Shearer. Neither player was a victim. Higgins abused boys during post-exercise soapy massages, in his car and at his home. Such was his hold over the youngsters, many felt unable to say anything for up to 30 years. Ex-Southampton youth player Billy Seymour was killed in a car crash in January before he could give evidence at the retrial. There was sobbing in the public gallery as guilty verdicts were returned on all six counts relating to Mr Seymour. He worked for the Offside Trust, which said “justice has been served”. Southampton FC said: “The club offers our sympathy and support to any player who suffered any kind of abuse or harm while under our care.” Higgins, of Southampton, Hants, will be sentenced later. VICTIMS’ STATEMENT AFTER THE CONVICTION
Matt Le Tissier at Southampton A SPICE Girls fan has listed the Union Jack bus from the 1997 film Spice World on Airbnb for stays.
Coinciding with the group’s Wembley shows on June 14 and 15, the coach will be parked nearby.
Host Suzanne Godley said: “The Spice Girls were my childhood obsession. I don’t think I’ve ever grown out of my love for them.”
The bus has 1990s decor including vintage magazines and CDs. It sleeps three guests per night and sold out within hours.
At last we can try to move on from this nightmare