Specialist Abuse Lawyers Say They Hope Convictions Sends Out Message To Survivors That They Will Not Be Ignored

Specialist abuse lawyers say they hope the conviction of former West Midlands Police officer and Scout master Allan Richards of sexually abusing 17 boys over 40 years sends out the message to any other survivors that they will be listened to.

Allan Richards was recently (21 October 2016) found guilty of indecent assault against boys aged 11-15 between 1982 and 2003.

Following the trial it was also revealed that the 54-year-old was convicted earlier this year of more than 30 offences against boys including rape, gross indecency, sexual activity with a children as young as eight, and voyeurism dating back to the 1970s and as recently as 2013.

During the trial the prosecutor Miss Miranda Moore QC said: "Allan Richards not only abused his position as a Scout master, he misused his position as a police officer with the West Midlands Police force."

Over the course of the two trials it was revealed that Mr Richards had sexually abused boys at police stations, Scout camps, swimming pools, in a park and at his home.

Specialist abuse lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham office say the case is shocking and echo the problems other clients have suffered at the hands of people who abuse their power to take advantage of vulnerable people.

The law firm represents more than 20 people who are taking legal action after midlands PE teacher Marcus Marcussen was convicted of found guilty of 25 counts of indecent assault on boys during his time working at the Illmington Road Comprehensive School in Weoley Castle between 1957 and 1978.

Expert Opinion

“Sadly many of our clients have suffered abuse at the hands of people in powerful positions and they need specialist help and support to overcome their ordeals.

“Abusers in this situation also often have many victims and it can be incredibly difficult for them to come forward as they may have a mistrust of authority.

"Abuse can have a massive impact on the lives of survivors and we have heard first-hand accounts about relationship breakdowns, trust issues and even attempted suicide due to the lasting effects of their trauma.

"Although the Jimmy Savile case brought abuse into the spotlight, it is important to remember that not all abuse is carried out by celebrities and that it is often people in a position of trust or power that seek to take advantage of their situation. It is crucial that survivors of abuse are able to get specialist help so that they can try to come to terms with their ordeal.

“Hopefully now that Mr Richards has been found guilty it will send out the message to his victims and other survivors of abuse that they will be listened to and that there is expert help out there for them.” Tom Fletcher - Partner - Head of Abuse

The trial heard that during a search of Mr Richard’s home in Thaxted Road, Tile Cross, Birmingham, detectives found a list of male names Richards had a 'sexual interest' in.

They also discovered diaries where Richards kept details of 'touching' boys as well as describing their underwear, and notes of their pubic and body hair.

He used his police computer to check out his victims with Police believing there are more that they haven’t been able to trace.

Mr Richards will now be sentenced on November 4 while the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is also currently investigating.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in Abuse Claims.