David Higgins charged with indecent assaults on boys at Knowl View

A man has been charged in connection with historical indecent assaults against two boys.

David Higgins, aged 76 of HMP Rye Hill, has been charged with 18 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempt indecent assault of boys under the age of 16.

Higgins is due to appear via video link at Bury Magistrates Court on 4 May 2016.

The charges relate to incidents of historical sexual abuse that took place against two young boys, aged between 11 and 15 at the time, at Knowl View residential school for boys in Rochdale between 1969 and 1971. David Higgins was working at Knowl View school at the time of the alleged offences. The offences were reported separately to Greater Manchester Police in April 2013 and January 2015.

Operation Jaguar was launched following reports of both physical and sexual abuse that took place at Knowl View residential school for boys from 1969 until the school closed in 1995.

Between April 2014 and April 2015, 13 files with multiple allegations were submitted by Greater Manchester Police to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) relating to 27 suspects and 16 victims, of both physical and sexual offences.

Assistant Chief Constable Robert Potts from Greater Manchester Police said: “Investigations into allegations of historical sexual and physical abuse are by their very nature extremely complex and protracted inquiries. These investigations are managed with the utmost sensitivity and files of evidence are put together by officers before being discussed and considered with the Crown Prosecution Service.

“We will always investigate any allegations of abuse, regardless of when they took place, and support from the police and other relevant organisations is provided to anyone that makes a report.”

Claire Lindley, Chief Crown Prosecutor for North West CPS said: "We have carefully considered the evidence gathered by police in connection with their investigations into alleged abuse at Knowl View residential school for boys.

"With criminal proceedings now underway it is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.“