Knowl View sex abuse case against David Higgins dropped

A case against David Higgins, a former teacher accused of child sex abuse at Knowl View residential school in Rochdale, has been dropped.

Mr Higgins, 76, had been accused of committing 19 alleged offences relating to two pupils at the school between 1969 and 1970.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said no further action would be taken after receiving more information.

Assistant Chief Constable Debbie Ford said: “Operation Jaguar was launched following allegations of both physical and sexual abuse that took place at Knowl View residential school for boys from 1969 until the school closed in 1995.

“GMP conducted an extensive and through investigation, into which a significant amount of resources were invested, and in April 2016 David Higgins (born 15/11/39) of HMP Rye Hill, was charged with 18 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempt indecent assault of boys under the age of 16.

“In October 2016 the CPS advised that the case should be discontinued and no further action will be taken.

“We recognise this will be a disappointing outcome for victims and we will continue to offer them support at what is understandably, a very difficult time.

“I'd also like to pay tribute to the victims in this case. They have shown tremendous courage by coming forward and embarking on what has been a long and emotional journey.

“Victims are given specialist support throughout the process, no matter how long the criminal justice process takes, and we continue to offer support and refer them to specialist agencies.”

“I share the view of the victims of the horrific abuse at Knowl View that the lack of prosecutions after such a long period of time is a bitter pill.

“The Knowl View abuse scandal casts a long shadow across Greater Manchester. It is an indictment of how, in the past, public bodies and society as a whole treated the most vulnerable of children. It is shameful.

“The challenge for the current generation is to ensure that vulnerable children today are treated with respect and dignity, and, when victims of abuse come forward, they are taken seriously and the crimes against them fully investigated.

"I hope those at Knowl View who suffered abuse at the hands of those who should have protected them can at least take some comfort in the knowledge that exposing their ordeal from the past has helped protect children in the present and will in the future.”