Former Southampton boss Higgins jailed for 24 years for sexually abusing players

Ex-football coach Bob Higgins has been jailed for 24 years and three months at Winchester Crown Court for sexually abusing young players over a 25-year period.

The former Southampton coach, who worked with hundreds of youth players, had previously been found guilty of 46 charges of indecent assault against 24 teenage boys.

He was today sentenced to 24 years and three months at Winchester Crown Court.

The horrific abuse had taken place over a 25-year period, the court was told.

Higgins, 66, was found to have abused his “position of power” over the future careers of the young players, in order to take advantage of them for his own personal needs.

Victims told Winchester Crown Court of suicidal thoughts and relationship problems later in life.

Passing sentence, Judge Peter Crabtree described Higgins as a "cunning and manipulative" serial sex abuser who "carefully groomed" the teenagers in a predatory manner.

During Higgins' trial, prosecutors told the court he was "idolised" by trainees, who viewed him as a mentor and father figure.

Victims said they were abused during post-exercise soapy massages, in Higgins' car while he played love songs on the stereo and at his home where he cuddled with boys on his sofa.