Catholic priest is jailed for 17 years over sex assaults on boy

A CATHOLIC priest has been jailed for 17 years for repeatedly sexually abusing a teenage boy when he worked as a teacher in the 1970s.

Father Michael Higginbottom, 74, was working at St Joseph’s College, a boarding school in Upholland, Lancashire, when the sexual abuse took place.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that his victim attended the seminary, for boys who wanted to become priests, for six months when he was aged between 13 and 14.

In a victim statement read to the court, he said: “I cried so often I believe I could have drowned in my own tears.”

The trial heard he would be struck with a strap if he did not attend Higginbottom’s living quarters, where much of the abuse happened, at appointed times.

He said he was invited into Higginbottom’s living quarters and the priest locked the door and ordered him to undress before sexually assaulting him.

When he returned home from the school he became rebellious and his schoolwork suffered, he said.

The court heard the victim also made allegations against two other priests at the school, but both had since died.

Adam Birkby, defending, said that since the offences, Higginbottom had led a “positive” life as a parish priest.

Higginbottom, of West Farm Road, Newcastle, had denied four counts of a serious sexual offence and four counts of indecent assault but was found guilty after a trial.

The court heard that during his time as a physics teacher at the school, which has since closed, he would give electric shocks to pupils as a punishment.

Judge Menary said: “You employed methods which today, if not then, would be recognised for what they were – cruel and sadistic bullying.”