British police investigating the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal charged a former BBC driver on Wednesday with sexually assaulting a teenage boy. David Smith, 66, is the first person to be charged under Operation Yewtree, the high-profile Scotland Yard probe set up in the wake of revelations that late BBC star Savile was a prolific sex offender. The scandal rocked the BBC and has led to the arrests of several celebrities including singer Gary Glitter, comedians Freddie Starr and Jim Davidson and radio presenter Stuart Hall.

British police investigated allegations of abuse against disgraced late television presenter Jimmy Savile in 1964 but officers ignored evidence and routinely failed to follow up complaints, policing inspectors said Tuesday. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) also warned in Tuesday's report that there remained a "distinct possibility" that police could make the same mistakes in the future. HMIC found only five allegations and two pieces of evidence in police files on Savile, who is now accused of over 450 sex crimes.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson confirmed on Monday that Phil Jones will miss the conclusion of his side's Champions League last 16 tie with Real Madrid due to injury. The Premier League leaders held Madrid to a 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital three weeks ago, with Jones helping to shackle former United star Cristiano Ronaldo from a defensive midfield role.

WPP on Friday announced a small drop in the global advertiser's annual net profits as European financial strains offset strong growth in emerging markets, while the company forecast a tough year ahead. Earnings after tax fell 2.1 percent to £822.7 million ($1.24 billion, 949 million euros) last year compared with the level in 2011, the British firm said in a results statement. Revenues advanced 3.5 percent to £10.37 billion.