COLIN HIGGINS SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR RAPE IN CHIGWELL

A serious sexual assault case from 2020 has culminated in a significant prison sentence for Colin Richard Higgins, a 54-year-old man residing in Copperfield, Chigwell. The incident, which took place nearly three years ago, led to a lengthy investigation by Essex Police Crime and Public Protection Command, spanning over four years before reaching its conclusion in court.

On June 17, 2020, Essex Police received a distressing report from a woman who had been subjected to a severe sexual assault the day prior. The details of the assault revealed that Higgins had attacked her, and during the incident, he reportedly made a chilling remark, saying, “you’re not going to call the police are you,” before fleeing the scene. This statement underscored the threatening nature of the assault and Higgins’s awareness of the gravity of his actions.

Following the report, law enforcement officers acted swiftly. Higgins was arrested on the very same day and subsequently charged with multiple offenses, including the rape of a woman over the age of 16. Additionally, he faced two counts of breaching a restraining order that had been previously issued against him, indicating ongoing concerns about his conduct and the safety of the victim.

The case proceeded to a four-day trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, beginning on Monday, May 13. After careful deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of guilty on the charge of rape and one count of breach of a restraining order. However, they found Higgins not guilty of one of the breach of restraining order charges, reflecting the complexities and nuances of the case.

On May 31, during the sentencing hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court, Higgins was handed a prison term of eight years. The presiding judge ordered that he serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole. Furthermore, a restraining order was issued against Higgins, restricting his contact with the victim and ensuring her ongoing protection. This case highlights the serious consequences of sexual violence and breaches of court orders, emphasizing the justice system’s role in safeguarding victims and holding offenders accountable.