Former football coach jailed for 31 years due to sexual abuse offences

Former football coach jailed for 31 years due to sexual abuse offences spanning four decades

A former football coach has been jailed for 31 years after sexually abusing eight children. The abuse spanned four decades between 1976 and 2006. He was convicted at Chester Crown Court in June of 57 offences across Cheshire. 

William Woods aged 57 would bring multiple children together at his home to act out his depraved fantasies and would encourage them to abuse one another. The offences included attempted rape, inciting children to commit acts of gross indecency and inciting boys to engage in sexual activity. As well as sexual abuse he would also physically abuse the children by locking them in cupboards and burning them with cigarettes or a pan. 

The abuse came to light after one of the survivors approached Cheshire police in 2018. 

Initially, when Woods was arrested in 2022, he denied the abuse and claimed he had never met any of the survivors and that they were lying. 

During Wood’s sentencing, one of the survivors spoke out and described him as a ‘monster of a man’ and said "I’ve grown up with a very negative view of homosexuality and homosexuals. It’s hugely impacted my relationships with other men."

Another survivor added how he believed what Woods had done to him was normal and was love. He said, "I live each day with the emotional and physical scars."

Judge Patrick Thompson addressed Woods and said, "You used your status as an adult who’d been in the army to scare victims. There was a level of sophistication in your offending – which was tailored to each victim. You present as an arrogant and cruel man who lacks empathy for your victims."

Prosecution lawyer John Philpotts KC said how Woods had been dismissed from the army in 1983 for sexually assaulting a young recruit while he was in a position of authority over him in the army. Woods was also convicted in 1988 for gross indecency involving two males. In addition to this, in 2006 he was made subject of an extended sentence of 15 years in prison for sexual offences against three boys under the age of 16. 

The child prosecution service has described this investigation as one of the biggest child sexual abuse cases in the Mersey-Cheshire area.

Jordans Solicitors – helping victims of sexual abuse claim compensation.

If you have been a victim of physical and/or sexual abuse and would like to speak to one of our Specialist Abuse Lawyers in confidence, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We have the knowledge and experience to advise you on the available options for pursuing a Criminal Injuries Compensation Claim and/or civil damages claim.

Our Sexual Abuse Compensation Team can be contacted by telephoning 08009555094 or 03303001103.