BRANDON WOODS FROM YSTRADGYNLAIS: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE AND CRUELTY IN WALES

Brandon Woods, born around 1994 and previously residing in Merthyr Tydfil before moving to Swansea, has a troubling history of violent and destructive behavior that dates back to his early teenage years. His first known act of cruelty occurred when he was just 14 years old, in 2008, in the town of Ystradgynlais. During this incident, Woods deliberately set fire to a neighbor’s pet budgie using an aerosol can, an act that marked the beginning of a long pattern of concerning conduct.

Although details about this initial offense are scarce, it is understood that Woods was likely not publicly identified at the time due to his young age. Nonetheless, this early act of animal cruelty was a red flag, foreshadowing the more serious violent crimes that would follow in the years ahead.

Fast forward to August 2020, Woods’ violent tendencies culminated in a brutal assault on a young woman. The attack was described as cowardly and vicious, leaving the victim with over 60 bruises and scratches across her face and body. Witnesses and medical reports noted that some of her injuries resembled claw marks, indicating the ferocity of the assault.

Following this incident, Woods was brought before the court and sentenced to a total of 15 months in prison. The sentence was structured to include an initial period of incarceration, with the remainder to be served on license, reflecting the severity of his actions.

Throughout his criminal history, Woods has accumulated a disturbing array of convictions. These include spitting at a police officer, acts of battery, criminal damage, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while disqualified, witness intimidation, and drug-related offenses. He has also been convicted twice for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, one of which involved attacking his own mother. In a bizarre and disturbing incident, he was reported to have squirted ketchup around his house during one of his episodes of violence.

During a sentencing hearing, a judge commented on Woods’ troubling pattern of behavior, describing it as indicative of a “worrying personality trait.” The judge expressed concern that unless Woods made significant changes, he risked becoming a “very dangerous man.” This assessment underscores the seriousness of Woods’ conduct and the potential threat he poses to society.

Brandon Woods’ case highlights a troubling trajectory of violence and cruelty that began in his youth and continued into adulthood, raising questions about intervention and the importance of addressing behavioral issues early on in order to prevent further harm.