Mark Anthony Higgins on trial over indecent treatment charges

The former owner of a popular music store on the Sunshine Coast will fight against historical child abuse allegations in a trial.

Former of owner of Nambour music store Shake It Up is facing trial over two alleged child abuse offences.

The former owner of a well-known Sunshine Coast business is facing trial over allegations of historical child abuse offences.

Mark Anthony Higgins appeared in Maroochydore District Court on Tuesday, February 4, sporting a simple blue dress shirt and neat hair.

He pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecently treating a child under 16.

The alleged offences occurred on unknown dates between August 1997 and August 1998 on the Sunshine Coast and in Brisbane.

In her opening statement, crown prosecutor Rebecca Marks told the jury Mr Higgins’ charges pertained to two incidents where he allegedly touched a child’s breasts on one occasion and exposed himself on another occasion.

Mr Higgins is represented by defence barrister Russell Pearce.

The jury heard from the first witness about midday on Tuesday, and it is expected the presentation of evidence will continue into Wednesday.

Mr Higgins was well-known in the Sunshine Coast music industry and opened the popular Shake It Up music shop on Currie St, Nambour in 2004.

The success of the music shop led to its expansion to a three-storey megastore, making it one of the biggest on the Sunshine Coast.

The store has since changed ownership and rebranded.