Allan Higgins, a ‘monstrous’ individual, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for repeatedly raping a young girl and attempting to silence her with gifts.
Allan Higgins, 52, exploited the 12-year-old girl at a residence in East Ayrshire from June to December 2023.
A high court judge was informed that Allan Higgins instructed her not to reveal her abuse experience to anybody, warning that “she would face significant imprisonment.”
Prosecutor Lorraine Glancy KC informed Lord Cubie that the girl was able to disclose the abuse to the police.
Her testimony was important in securing justice for Higgins. He admitted guilt to rape during a hearing earlier this year at the High Court in Glasgow.
On Wednesday, Allan Higgins appeared via video link from prison to receive notification from Lord Cubie at the High Court in Edinburgh regarding his impending lengthy incarceration.
Passing sentence, Lord Cubie said: “The complainer was 12. As a consequence of your offending she suffers from severe panic attacks.
“The impact of your offending will have life long consequences on her.
“This type of offending is monstrous. Only a custodial sentence can truly punish you and reflect society’s revulsion of this type of offending.”
Allan Higgins had been remanded in custody after pleading guilty to repeatedly raping the girl.
Allan Higgins started abusing the girl in June 2023 as she watched television.
The court heard the abuse would eventually become “a daily occurrence”.
The girl also described being repeatedly raped by Allan Higgins and that it was “painful.”
Ms Glancy said: “The girl indicated that Allan Higgins would buy her things to prevent her telling anyone but would not send inappropriate messages as he was fearful she would show people.
“She explained that in the last few months before she disclosed his offending, it stopped being every day and became every so often, but when he did sexually abuse her it would be multiple times a day.”
The girl disclosed what happened to her to an adult on December 31 2023 – a day after Allan Higgins had sexually assaulted and raped her three times.
Ms Glancy also said that since the incident, there has been a “significant impact” upon her due to Allan Higgins’ offending.
She suffers from extreme anxiety, panic attacks and clings onto family members whenever she can.
The girl is also “terrified” to go outside in case Allan Higgins is there.
On Wednesday, Allan Higgins was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
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