According to the Guardian obituary, 'From school in Bradford, he went to Leeds University to read English, [and] caught the acting bug in student productions'[2] In 1941, Sands had his theatrical debut at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield.

The first TV adaptation of Johnny Speight’s If There Weren't Any Blacks You'd Have To Invent Them screened in 1968 (b&w) starred Sands in the role of the blind man.

His film roles included appearances in The Deadly Affair (1966), Danger Route (1967), One More Time (1970), The Ragman's Daughter (1972), Escape from the Dark (1976) and Bloodline (1979).

Others include Stay Single & Live Forever, Good Old Summertime:A Final Fling At The Seaside, Sam Up In The World, Cat's Cradle, The Conscience Of Sergeant Cluff, and Something To Hide.

His grandson is actor Devin Stanfield, known for his leading role in cult TV series The Box of Delights (1984), and guest star in Chocky (1984).