Children's entertainer who raped 12-year-old girl brought traditional sgian dubh knife to court

A children’s entertainer who raped a 12-year-old girl brought a knife into court on the day he was to be sentenced.

Allan Higgins, 52, was caught with a traditional sgian dubh for a kilt at the High Court in Glasgow on October 16 2024.

Higgins was later jailed for 11 years for repeated sex assaults which a judge described as “monstrous.”

Higgins volunteered at a children’s club in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire.

He had passed vetting for working with vulnerable groups and youngsters.

Higgins, who was convicted of rape and abuse charges, started preying on the child in June 2023 when he groped her as she was under a blanket watching TV.

He bought the girl’s silence by splashing out on a bass guitar, a TV and took her to McDonald’s every day.

He also threatened her that “she would go away for a long time if she ever told anyone”.

Higgins was finally caught after the victim confided in an adult on Hogmanay that year.

Higgins appeared to be sentenced at court and was caught with the knife, which he claimed was a sentimental item his uncle gave him on his 21st birthday.

He also possessed a watch and a ceramic coat hanger.

Jurors at Glasgow Sheriff Court were told that Higgins’ mother’s funeral was the day before the sentencing.

Higgins claimed in his evidence that there was “no one I could trust” with his belongings and he knew he was going to jail.

Donna Maitland, defending, told jurors in her speech: “He described to you that going to prison was like moving house.”

Higgins stood trial charged with having the knife at court which is a public place without a reasonable excuse or lawful authority.

A jury found him not guilty of the charge and was formally acquitted by Patrick Hughes.