Brain injuries ‘raise risk of violent crime’

More than half of criminals may have suffered a head injury, a review suggests. Bumps to the head from falls, assaults or road accidents can lead to neural injuries which alter the brain structure, and increase the risk of violent offending, according to the findings of brain experts.

A brain tumour survivor became obsessed with killing blonde women after successful surgery, a court heard.

Michael Williams, 47, was jailed for four years for his “blonde hatred”. He had no criminal record before an operation five years ago.

Swansea Crown Court heard he was arrested after being caught armed with a knife and a baseball bat and threatening to run one woman over in Neath, South Wales. Psychiatrists could not say whether his operation had changed him. Williams, of Skewen, Neath, was jailed for four years, but a judge ordered an extended sentence of five further years on licence for public protection.