Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

People might wish to know that Sheila Higgins appears to have attended both of Gary Dobbie's trial to provide a character reference on his behalf. At the second trial he was of course already a convicted sex offender.

Sheila Higgins who taught at CH for many years, is now an 'Assistant Priest' at a church in Sussex.

Her husband, Peter Higgins, also a former CH teacher is the Parish 'Safeguarding Officer'.

Peter Higgins may also have provided a character reference in Dobbie's first trial, but I cannot yet confirm this.

Very interesting news, Charles, especially given the 'religious' connection.

Do you know their 'times' at CH ? Their names don't do a 'Quasimodo' with me.

LHA wrote: ↑Sat May 18, 2019 9:40 am People might wish to know that Sheila Higgins appears to have attended both of Gary Dobbie's trial to provide a character reference on his behalf. At the second trial he was of course already a convicted sex offender.

Sheila Higgins who taught at CH for many years, is now an 'Assistant Priest' at a church in Sussex.

Her husband, Peter Higgins, also a former CH teacher is the Parish 'Safeguarding Officer'.

Peter Higgins may also have provided a character reference in Dobbie's first trial, but I cannot yet confirm this.

There was a Peter (PF) Higgins who taught chemistry and was a junior housemaster in Mid A during part of my time there.

https://www.chforum.info/php/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=638

The first post on this thread has a 1969 photo of Middleton A in which he features.

A bit of quick detective work.....

https://www.parishofabe.org.uk/ministry-team

I remember Peter Higgins being a science teacher and house master between 1971-78 but he never taught me.

He is now at Muntham House by the look of it:

http://www.muntham.org.uk/peter-higgins/

Peter Higgins was still teaching Chemistry in the 1990's when I was there, and Sheila Higgins was teaching religious studies.

Probably worth pointing out here that Mrs Higgins was a participant at least one Medieval History trip to Albi in the mid-90's that was co-led by Husband and Dobbie.

Mrs Higgins taught me RS in the 1990s... her son was in the same year as me

LHA wrote: ↑Sat May 18, 2019 9:40 am People might wish to know that Sheila Higgins appears to have attended both of Gary Dobbie's trial to provide a character reference on his behalf. At the second trial he was of course already a convicted sex offender.

Sheila Higgins who taught at CH for many years, is now an 'Assistant Priest' at a church in Sussex.

Her husband, Peter Higgins, also a former CH teacher is the Parish 'Safeguarding Officer'.

Peter Higgins may also have provided a character reference in Dobbie's first trial, but I cannot yet confirm this.

The crashing naivete of the CofE continues. I would have thought their standing up for Dobbie made them entirely unsuitable - because apparently lacking in judgement -for either of the roles described. Safeguarding?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peter Higgins was housemaster of Thorn B during my 5 years there (72 to 77).

I know it’s a bit too late but I’ve drafted a letter which anyone is free to use in response to reference requests. (Sometimes it’s hard to find the right words to say no)

———————————-
Dear Gary,

Thank you for your letters, it’s good to hear that you’ve met so many like-minded people. I did laugh when you mentioned how the catering was an improvement compared to the slop that Fairfield mob churned out at CH.

With regards your request for another reference I have given this some careful thought. In light of the high number of victims and their compelling evidence supported by so many witnesses, your protestations of innocence are becoming somewhat hard to believe, even from someone who still thinks that the book about Jesus and his friends belongs in the Non-fiction section. I am also a bit disappointed that you failed to mention the number and depravity of the allegations at the last trial.

So I’m afraid the answer is no. We can discuss face to face after church once you’re out in about 2035

Kind regards from your former colleague.

X

P.s. have you tried any of the three axis of evil members? Money talks

What a terrible waste of a stamp!!

It leads me to wonder how many people have kept in touch with him in prison.

With the number of people he abused, he should have been excommunicated.

Seems to me that it might be appropriate to inform the present Bishop of Chichester that two of his staff were staff at CH at a "difficult" time and gave character references in this trial - just in case he did not know.

The devil's in the details here, surely.

On the one hand the Higginses may said something as relatively harmless as "I always got on well with him and found him a sympathetic listener".

The other extreme would be a blind refusal to even entertain the idea that Dobbie (as a man of the cloth, blah blah) could possibly have done all those things, and would basically be implying some sort of conspiracy or mass hysteria.

I don't think they should necessarily be condemned for a statement like the former. The latter, conversely, would be quite staggering in the face of all the victim testimony.

The reality is no doubt somewhere in the middle. Does anyone know the content of the testimony? Are we allowed to?

Your final question would be for Richardb to answer.

However, I think the answer is 'NO, without good reason