A former police officer and scout leader who sexually abused boys and young men in a campaign spanning four decades has been jailed for 22 years.  

Allan Richards, 54, was convicted - following two separate trials at Birmingham Crown Court - of voyeurism and sexual offences against 17 victims, dating back to the 1970s.

Sentencing Richards today, Judge Francis Laird QC told him: "It's abundantly clear to me you have been a sexual predator all your adult life.

"I observed you Mr Richards over the course of many weeks and you have shown no remorse for what you did or for the damage that you have done to so many individuals."

Richards, of Tile Cross, Birmingham, served in West Midlands Police.

Birmingham Post

Government looking at new city centre office block to bring together thousands of tax staff from across the West Midlands., external

A man sexually abused by a former West Midlands Police officer when he was eight has said people who "had an idea" of what was happening "did nothing".

Allan Richards of Tile Cross, Birmingham, has been jailed for 22 years for 40 offences against boys and young men. 

Richards, a former scout master, carried out his campaign at scout camps, swimming pools and a police station. 

A police officer and scout leader who abused a child of eight during his decades-long campaign of sexual offences against boys and young men has been jailed for 22 years.

Allan Richards, 54, served with West Midlands Police for 31 years and targeted 17 people between 1976 and 2013. He was convicted previously of 40 offences.

A police station was among the places in which Richards, of Tile Cross, Birmingham, preyed on victims, abusing his position of trust. 

Image source, West Midlands Police

Pat Murphy
BBC Midlands football reporter

I understand Wolves will be offering Paul Lambert the manager's job - but there'll be no confirmation until after tomorrow's home match against Derby.

Lambert's experience of the Championship - winning promotion to the Premier League with Norwich - and keeping Aston Villa in the top flight for two seasons in the face of stringent financial restrictions impressed Wolves.

Another factor in his favour is his willingness to embrace new training methods picked up on his frequent visits to Germany, where he played for Dortmund; winning a Champions League medal in 1997.

Image source, Getty Images

Lambert has had two interviews with sporting director Kevin Thelwell and director Jeff Shi,who will make the final decision.

BBC Weather

A mainly dry and bright day with some sunny spells for all of us, but it will feel cold once again. 

The odd, locally heavy, shower is also possible - highs of 11C (52F).

Actor Adil Ray has visited his old primary school to introduce pupils to his alter ego, self-appointed community leader Citizen Khan.

Press Association

Unite is urging its members at Jaguar Land Rover to accept an "exceptional" two-year pay deal. 

The union says the proposed agreement is worth 3.5%, plus a £750 bonus in year one and an inflation-proofed retail price index plus 0.5% rise in year two. 

Image source, Getty Images

Around 22,000 workers at sites in Coventry, Castle Bromwich, Halewood, Solihull and Wolverhampton will be balloted, with a "strong" recommendation to accept. 

Unite national officer Roger Maddison said: "This is an exceptional pay deal for an exceptional workforce recognising their skills and continued hard work in making JLR a world-beating car maker.

An investigation is continuing after reports of violence at HMP Hewell yesterday.

The prison service confirmed two men had been taken to hospital for treatment, but said it would be inappropriate to comment further.

Earlier, police said two ambulances and a paramedic were called to the prison in Redditch at about 16:30.

The alleged assault occurred a day after a meeting between the Prison Officers Association and the government over the rise in violence and suicides in prisons.

Image source, Google

Mikey Burrows
BBC WM Sport

Albion will be without Nacer Chadli to face champions Leicester this weekend. 

The Belgian winger needs minor knee surgery, external and also won't link up with his country for next week's internationals.

Image source, Getty Images

James Bovill
Political Reporter, BBC News

A BBC Sunday Politics investigation has found NHS trusts in the West Midlands have a deficit of almost £200m between them.

Of 13 in Birmingham and the Black Country, seven were in deficit as of March this year, to the tune of nearly £95m collectively, with the deficit at Heart of England Foundation Trust amounting to nearly half the figure.

Of the area's seven clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), only Cannock Chase failed to record a surplus, with a deficit of £6.3m.

Wolves are set to offer former Norwich City, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Lambert the manager's job.

Bournemouth defender Rhoys Wiggins will miss the rest of the season after a knee injury suffered on loan at Birmingham.

BBC WM Sport

Still no confirmation of a new head coach at Wolves so Rob Edwards (pictured) stays in interim charge against Derby tomorrow lunchtime. 

Former Villa boss Paul Lambert is still the favourite, although there are other candidates being considered and the club isn't expected to make an announcement until next week. 

In the meantime, Edwards is keen to test himself against Derby's former England boss Steve McClaren and "wants to rise to the challenge".

Image source, Getty Images

Edwards will be without first choice goalkeeper Carl Ikeme as he's been ruled out with a hip injury - back-up keeper Andy Lonergan should make his full league debut.

BBC Business News

A new rail franchise combining the current InterCity West Coast main line with HS2 high-speed services has been announced by the government.

Image source, PA

The new franchise will be called the West Coast Partnership and is scheduled to start on 1 April, 2019.  

The operator will be responsible for services on both the West Coast Main Line from 2019 and running the initial HS2 services in 2026.

Detectives have named a key suspect they want to trace over the murder of a man outside a fast food restaurant.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Mansoor Mahmood was stabbed outside takeaway Dixi Chicken in High Street, Brierly Hill, on 15 October.

West Midlands Police says suspect, 19-year-old Niron Parker-Lee, shouldn't be approached by members of the public.  

BBC Midlands Today

Reports of an assault on an inmate at HMP Hewell, near Redditch, are being investigated, police say.

West Mercia Police say a man was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries after an incident at 16:30 yesterday and inquiries are "ongoing".    

BBC Sport

Promotion and relegation has been introduced to British speedway's top two divisions in a revamp of the sport.  

Coventry, Somerset and reigning champions Wolverhampton are among the sides to race in the 2017 top flight.

Image source, Jeff Davies

The bottom side in the Premiership will race the Championship play-off champions in an end-of-season race, to decide who rides in the following season's top tier.

The divisions will no longer be known as the Elite League and Premier League.

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

A showery day ahead but we will see sunshine through the day, although it will feel rather chilly.

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

It's Friday and nearly the weekend.

I'm in the BBC WM newsroom bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather for Birmingham and the Black Country between now and 18:00.

If you'd like to get in touch you can email, tweet us on @bbwm, external or message via Facebook, external.