Michael Higginbottom trial: Priest abuse claims ‘made up’

UNITED KINGDOM
BBC News

A former Catholic boarding school pupil who accused a priest of “horrific” sexual abuse made up the claims to get compensation, a court has heard.

Father Michael Higginbottom, 74, is accused of subjecting a teenage boy to repeated sexual abuse in the 1970s.

The assaults are said to have taken place when he was a teacher at St Joseph’s College in Lancashire.

The priest denies four counts of a serious sexual offence and indecent assault.

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