Ex-policeman sentenced to 22 years in jail over sex offences against children
A FORMER policeman and ex-Scout leader has been sentenced to 22 years in prison after he was convicted of 40 historical sex offences against children in attacks spanning four decades.
Retired policeman Allan Richards faces jail for historical sex offences against children
Allan Richards, who was a serving officer with West Midlands Police until his retirement in 2011, carried out his crimes until as recently as 2013.
He was convicted following two separate trials at Birmingham Crown Court of voyeurism and sexual offences against 17 victims as young as eight years old, dating to the 1970s.
After being found guilty it emerged Richards had been removed from a public-facing role in the police following a complaint made against him in 2004.
Richards carried out his crimes until as recently as 2013
He was kicked out of the Scouts the same year, after the Scout Association became aware of the allegation.
However, the 54-year-old, of Tile Cross, Birmingham was not charged while an earlier accusation made against him in 2000 also came to nothing.
Of Richards's victims, six were assaulted after 2000.
Richards was convicted following two separate trialsof voyeurism and sexual offences
The Scout Association kicked out Richards after becaming aware of the allegation
It was only in 2014 when another victim came forward that a fresh investigation was launched, resulting in Richards being brought to justice.
The force referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in May 2015 over its handling of the earlier investigations, but its inquiry was paused until the outcome of the criminal case.