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West Midlands Police officer who assaulted children convicted West Midlands Police officer who assaulted children convicted
(35 minutes later)
A police officer and scout leader who sexually abused boys and young men has been convicted of 40 offences.A police officer and scout leader who sexually abused boys and young men has been convicted of 40 offences.
Allan Richards served with West Midlands Police for 31 years and committed the crimes between 1976 and 2013. His youngest victim was eight.Allan Richards served with West Midlands Police for 31 years and committed the crimes between 1976 and 2013. His youngest victim was eight.
The 54-year-old, who worked as a police constable between 1980 and 2011, kept a list of boys he was attracted to.The 54-year-old, who worked as a police constable between 1980 and 2011, kept a list of boys he was attracted to.
West Midlands Police has apologised to Richards's victims and said it could have done more.
The attacks took place at scout camps, swimming pools and other locations.The attacks took place at scout camps, swimming pools and other locations.
Richards, formerly of Thaxted Road, Birmingham, was convicted at Birmingham Crown Court of nine indecent assaults against six boys.Richards, formerly of Thaxted Road, Birmingham, was convicted at Birmingham Crown Court of nine indecent assaults against six boys.
'Pandora's box''Pandora's box'
He was found guilty earlier this year of a further 31 sex offences against other boys, including two rapes from the 1970s.He was found guilty earlier this year of a further 31 sex offences against other boys, including two rapes from the 1970s.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating.The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating.
One victim, who was eight when he was abused, said he felt "sick, emotional [and] quite frightened" giving evidence during the trial.One victim, who was eight when he was abused, said he felt "sick, emotional [and] quite frightened" giving evidence during the trial.
"As soon as the police said to me they wanted to talk about an incident, or possible incident, when I was in the cubs, it was like opening up Pandora's box - everything came flooding back," he said."As soon as the police said to me they wanted to talk about an incident, or possible incident, when I was in the cubs, it was like opening up Pandora's box - everything came flooding back," he said.
"It's something I'd put in a box when I was very young, thought I'd locked it away, but [when the police came] it came springing back out instantly.""It's something I'd put in a box when I was very young, thought I'd locked it away, but [when the police came] it came springing back out instantly."
The victim said he felt guilty about not discussing what happened earlier because it could have prevented others being assaulted.The victim said he felt guilty about not discussing what happened earlier because it could have prevented others being assaulted.
He also said the abuse left him reluctant to trust people.He also said the abuse left him reluctant to trust people.
He added: "I think that the fact that he's put all of his victims through having to go to court and having to give evidence shows exactly what sort of man he is."He added: "I think that the fact that he's put all of his victims through having to go to court and having to give evidence shows exactly what sort of man he is."
The court heard Richards used a police database to access information about young men.
He was questioned after concerns about him were raised in both 2000 and 2004.
But he avoided prosecution because West Midlands Police said they were advised there was not enough evidence for a conviction.
Assistant Chief Constable Alex Murray apologised to the victims and said Richards had preyed on children, both on duty and off duty.
He said: "In retrospect, when I look back at those investigations, yes we took action, yes we spoke to the victims. Could we have done more? I think we probably could have done."
The IPCC said the fact Richards was able to abuse his position as a police officer while committing many of his crimes was "of great concern".
It said: "His victims will not be alone in wanting to know if opportunities were missed, and our independent investigation will examine whether more could have been done by the force to uncover his activities sooner."