WILLIAM WOODS FROM BARNTON SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL ABUSE IN CHESTER

In October 2006, a disturbing case unfolded involving William John Alexander Woods, a man from Barnton, who was convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over several years. Woods, aged 48 at the time, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 12 years at Chester Crown Court after admitting to a total of 22 sexual crimes, including rape and indecent assault, spanning from 1997 to 2003.

During this period, Woods was actively involved in youth football coaching, notably with Hartford Football Club’s under-12 team and managing the Davenham Dynamoes. His position of trust and influence over young boys was exploited in a series of calculated and brutal acts of abuse. The victims, three boys in total, were subjected to a pattern of threats, manipulation, and violence, with Woods threatening to kill them if they disclosed his misconduct.

The first victim, an 11-year-old boy, was subjected to a severe sexual assault in 1997. Woods forced him to perform a sexual act and subsequently raped him. Prosecutor Owen Edwards revealed that the rape occurred almost weekly over a span of two years, continuing until the boy was approximately 16 years old. Woods would often give the boy money after these assaults, and on one occasion, he threatened to kill him if he told anyone about what had transpired.

As Woods’ focus shifted, the abuse extended to a second boy. This victim was coerced into exposing himself in exchange for beer, and Woods also offered him £250 and a toolbox if he complied with his demands. The second boy was also forced to participate in a serious sexual act at Woods’ workplace, further illustrating the extent of Woods’ predatory behavior.

The third victim, a 14-year-old boy, became targeted in 2000. Woods touched the boy while engaging in a sexual act on himself, then offered him money and threatened to kill him if he revealed what had happened. The abuse of this third boy sometimes took place in local woodland areas, and on one occasion, Woods showed him indecent images on a computer, further demonstrating the calculated nature of his misconduct.

Throughout the proceedings, Woods’ defense lawyer, Duncan Bould, acknowledged that Woods accepted full responsibility for his actions and expressed remorse. However, the court was unyielding in its judgment. His Honour Judge Merfyn Hughes QC emphasized the profound harm caused by Woods, stating that he had destroyed three young lives and had egregiously breached the trust placed in him. The judge condemned Woods’ meticulous planning and manipulation, noting that he had orchestrated his work and personal life to facilitate his abusive behavior.

Ultimately, Woods was sentenced to 12 years in prison, a punishment reflecting the severity of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victims. The case highlights the dangers of individuals abusing positions of authority and trust, especially within youth sports environments, and underscores the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from predatory behavior.