Former Saints coach charged with 65 counts of child sexual abuse

A former Southampton youth coach has been charged with a catalogue of sexual offences by police investigating historical allegations of child abuse in football. Robert Higgins, 64, faces 65 counts of indecent assault committed against 23 alleged teenage victims in the 1980s and 1990s. The ex-Saints employee, known as Bob, will appear at Southampton Magistrates` Court on July 20, Hampshire Constabulary said. “Detectives have charged a man in connection with an investigation into non-recent child abuse within the footballing community,” said a force statement. “Robert Francis Higgins, of Southampton, has been charged with a total of 65 counts of indecent assault.”