Catholic Priest Goes on Trial Accused of Sex Abuse at Upholland Seminary

By Lynda Roughley
The Echo
April 3, 2017

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/catholic-priest-goes-trial-accused-12840602

Former priest Michael Higginbottom, 73, arrives at Liverpool Crown court. He is accused of historic sex offences against two schoolboys at St Joseph's College in Upholland in the late 1970s. Higginbottom has pleaded not guilty to four counts of indecent assault and two counts of buggery, while at the Roman Catholic seminary Upholland, near Skelmersdale Lancashire. (Photo: Daily Mirror)

A Catholic priest has gone on trial accused of sexually abusing boys at a former seminary in Upholland.

Father Michael Higginbottom is accused of eight offences against a boy aged 13 and 14 almost 40 years ago.

The alleged offences, four of buggery and four of indecent assault, are said to have taken place at St Joseph’s College between September 1978 and March 20, 1979.

Fr Higginbottom, who is now aged 74, of West Farm Road in Newcastle, taught at the West Lancashire college at that time,

A jury was today sworn in to hear the case at Liverpool crown court.

They will start hearing the evidence tomorrow.