Ex-coach denies charges

A former Peterborough United youth team manager will stand trial over child abuse allegations.

Bob Higgins (64), who lives in Southampton, indicated not guilty pleas to 65 child sex offences against 23 boys under the age of 17 at a hearing at Southampton Magistrates Court.

The ex-Posh coach, who arrived at the court wearing a black woolly hat covering his eyes, gave his name and address in the short four minute hearing.

Dan O’Neill, prosecuting, said: “These matters are not suitable for summary trial.

“They are substantial offences spanning three decades. It’s my respectful submission the appropriate venue is the crown court.”

Higgins faces 63 counts of indecent assaults against 23 teenage boys, and a further two counts of attempting to indecently assault one of them between 1979 and 1983.

All the alleged offences are said to have taken place over a 26-year period between 1970 and 1996. Higgins was youth team manager at Peterborough United from May 1995 to April 1996.

A spokesman for Hampshire police said none of the alleged offences were said to have occurred in Cambridgeshire. Chairman of the bench Alan Foster told him: “You have pleaded not guilty to these offences. You will go to be tried at Winchester Crown Court.”

Higgins will appear before a crown court judge on August 16.

Bob Higgins arrives at court