WILLIAM WOODS OF CONGLETON: HORRIFIC CHILD SEX OFFENCES SPANNING 30 YEARS IN CHESHIRE AND CREWE

William Woods, a 67-year-old former football coach residing on Lawton Street in Congleton, Cheshire, has been convicted of an extensive series of child sexual offences that span over three decades. The verdict was delivered by a jury after an intense eight-week trial held at Chester Crown Court, bringing to light the disturbing extent of his crimes.

Woods was found guilty of committing a total of 57 separate offences, which include attempted rape, inciting children to perform acts of gross indecency, and encouraging young boys to engage in sexual activities. These heinous acts took place between the years 1976 and 2006, with the court hearing detailed accounts of how Woods exploited his position of trust as a football coach to manipulate and abuse vulnerable children.

The court proceedings revealed that Woods used his influence over the children to isolate them from their families, making it easier for him to carry out his abusive acts without interference. It was reported that he would often bring multiple children to his home in Congleton, where he would indulge in his distorted sexual fantasies. Shockingly, he would even encourage the children to abuse each other, further demonstrating the depth of his depravity.

In addition to sexual abuse, the court heard evidence of physical mistreatment inflicted upon his victims. This included locking children in cupboards and subjecting them to scalding with cigarettes or hot pans, acts of cruelty that added a physical dimension to his abuse. The crimes spanned across the areas of Crewe and Northwich, with the abuse occurring over a period of 30 years. However, these allegations only came to light after one victim bravely approached Cheshire Police in 2018, prompting a thorough investigation.

William Woods was arrested in 2022, during which he vehemently denied all allegations. He claimed that he had never encountered any of the victims and accused them of fabricating their stories, attempting to deny any involvement in the crimes. Despite his denials, the evidence presented in court was overwhelming.

PC Emma Hughes, who led the investigation, described Woods as a