Former football coach Bob Higgins charged with sex abuse
A FORMER football coach has been accused of sex offences relating to 23 alleged victims.
In a statement Hampshire police said: 'Detectives have charged a man in connection with an investigation into non-recent child abuse within the footballing community.
'Robert Francis Higgins, of Litchfield Road, Southampton, has been charged with a total of 65 counts of indecent assault.
'These offences relate to allegations involving teenage boys and are alleged to have happened in the 1980s and 1990s.
'There is a total of 23 alleged victims.
'The 64-year-old is due to appear at Southampton magistrates court on 20 July.
'If you have any concerns about this information or would like to speak to someone, please contact our specialist Operation Marmion team on 101 or the NSPCC on 0800 023 2642.'