Statement by CPS Mersey-Cheshire Crown Advocate and specially trained Rape and Serious Sexual Offences lawyer Sarah Egan on the sentencing of prolific paedophile William Woods

"Today (15 August 2025) marks the day that William Woods, one of the most prolific paedophiles that the Crown Prosecution Service in Merseyside and Cheshire has ever dealt with, has been brought to justice for the horrific sexual and violent crimes he committed against 8 children, over a period of 30 years.

Former vicar convicted for sexual assaults connected to his nightclub ‘Nine O Clock service’

A former ordained Church of England priest has been found guilty of multiple counts of indecent assaults on nine women in Sheffield in the 1980s and 1990s.

Convicted rapist and associate guilty of further attacks against women

Bruno Sala, 39, previously of Havant, Portsmouth, formed relationships with each of the women between 2019 to 2020, before setting them up to be raped and abused by himself and other men.

Meetings with the Home Office about grooming gangs 2008 to 2013

|FoI Release,

Please let me know if the organization took part in any meetings that were held between 2008 and 2013, relating grooming gangs

'Revenge porn' prosecutions and outcomes for West Yorkshire police 2021 to 2024

|FoI Release,

For 2021 to 2024 How many cases of 'revenge porn': disclose/threats to disclose private sexual images with intent to cause distress brought to the CPS by West Yorkshire Police resulted in conviction?

Sexual offences that were re-commenced after a successful Victims' Right to Review appeal

|FoI Release,

In 2022/23 there were 64 cases of sexual offences that were re-commenced after a successful Victims' Right to Review appeal.

Prosecutors block 'sexsomnia' defence to see controlling rapist jailed

A Leicester man has been jailed for nearly 15 years for rape and controlling or coercive behaviour, after prosecutors challenged his claim he had committed the offences in his sleep.

Man guilty of raping and killing ex-partner at Surrey hotel

A man who claimed that his partner died after rolling out of bed and hitting her nose has been convicted of her murder.

Samantha Mickleburgh honoured plans to celebrate James Cartwright’s 60th birthday at Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa in Surrey in April 2024, wanting to make sure he wasn’t lonely, despite having ended their relationship. She knew this would be the last time she would see him.

Man who ran Plymouth teeth-whitening salon convicted of rapes and sexual assaults

A man who ran a teeth-whitening salon in Plymouth has been convicted of a series of rapes and sexual assaults against seven women, including customers of the salon.

DNA sample from police application brings sexual offender to justice

A DNA sample given by a man who applied to join the police has led to him being jailed for sexually assaulting two girls in 2017.

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Meetings with the Home Office about grooming gangs 2008 to 2013

'Revenge porn' prosecutions and outcomes for West Yorkshire police 2021 to 2024

Sexual offences that were re-commenced after a successful Victims' Right to Review appeal