The former Manchester United player received a suspended sentence and three-year driving ban
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(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Ex-Manchester United player Brandon Williams has issued a statement after he received a suspended sentence for crashing into the back of another car on a dual carriageway.
Williams was sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years, and 180 hours of unpaid work on Friday (May 23) for dangerous driving and driving without insurance. He crashed into the back of another car at speeds of 76mph on the A34 near Wilmslow in August 2023.
He was also banned from driving for three years and must take an extended re-test in order to get his licence back. Today (May 27) Williams has issued a statement through his lawyers.
“I would like to thank my legal team headed by Richard Littler KC and Philip Williams of Blackfords LLP for establishing that I was not under the influence of any substance at the time of the accident," the statement began.
"I have always accepted that my driving that day fell below the standard that is expected of me. It was never my intention to cause injury to anyone but I am responsible for the standard of my driving. I make no excuses.
"I have learnt from this experience and will ensure there is no repetition. I wish to apologise again to those who were involved in the accident.
"Now that the case has concluded I look forward to resuming my career with a new team later this year.”
Williams was driving 'at high speed'
At his sentencing hearing, Chester Crown Court heard Williams had been given 'too much too soon' and was experiencing 'significant mental health issues' at the time of the crash.
A witness who was driving on the A34 shortly before 6pm on the evening of Sunday, August 20, 2023, said Williams' Audi began 'closing in' behind her, 'braking heavily, then dropping back.'
The car then pulled alongside her, and the witness said that both Williams and a female passenger 'had yellow balloons in their mouths', the court was told.
However Max Saffman, prosecuting, told the court that the crown did not contend Williams was 'impaired' by nitrous oxide or any other substance.
Williams attending court (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Richard Littler KC, representing Williams, said: "Whilst he has previously used nitrous oxide as a recreational drug, as a much younger man, he was not using it at the time of the driving.
"He was in the vehicle with nitrous oxide, and was assisting the front seat passenger to so use it."
The witness said Williams again dropped behind her whilst driving 'at high speed', the court was told. She said he got so close to the back of her car she was unable to read his registration plate in her mirror.
He then 'swerved into the outside lane', overtook her and moved in front of her in what she said was a 'needless manoeuvre, having no logic to it.'
He got close to the back of a Ford Fiesta in front before colliding with the rear driver's side of the car, Mr Saffman said. Williams 'lost control' and hit the central reservation.
The Fiesta driver cried out 'oh s***' on impact with her car being 'caused to turn and face the central reservation' with the wheel also coming off. The car, valued at £9,000, was written off.
Williams was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries and then taken to Middlewich police station to be interviewed. He gave a prepared statement in which he blamed the driver of the Fiesta for the crash.
Police investigators calculated that four seconds before the crash he was travelling at 99mph, Mr Saffman said. At the point of impact, he was travelling at 74mph in the 70mph zone.
Charged with dangerous driving and driving without insurance, Williams initially denied the offences but entered guilty pleas at a hearing in March.
Brandon Williams(Image: Joe Toth/REX/Shutterstock)
His sentencing hearing was told he had told a probation officer that he was 'showing off' and 'driving like an idiot'
Williams was 'deeply and genuinely remorseful', Mr Littler said. "He wishes to apologise to the court through me to anyone he's harmed physically and emotionally through his actions," he said.
"He accepts there is simply no excuse for what he did, and he does not challenge it."
Mr Littler said a coach currently working with Williams had said that he had 'too much money, too soon' and 'inability to deal with all that brings.'
Driving at 99mph seconds beforehand
The judge, Recorder Eric Lamb, told Williams: "There was no reason for driving in the way you did."
He said he had 'shown a deliberate disregard for the safety of other road users.'
The judge said a pre-sentence report made clear he had 'too much, too soon.' He said Williams became 'beset by depression' and had 'isolated himself.'
"It's in that period of depression that you committed these offences," the judge said.
The offence was so serious that the 'least sentence' he could impose was, he said, 14 months in prison. However, he said Williams' 'strong personal mitigation' meant he was able to suspend the sentence, for a period of two years.
Following his guilty plea, Andrew Madden, a Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “Brandon Williams’ driving on that day clearly fell far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver.
“Expert analysis showed that he was driving at 99mph four seconds before he hit the Ford Fiesta.
"Witnesses said Williams kept speeding up and then braking sharply. It was clear he wasn’t in control of the vehicle. The driving was erratic and the speed was grossly excessive. Eventually, Williams lost control completely and crashed.
“It is fortunate no one was seriously injured or killed. To drive at 99mph in those circumstances was extremely dangerous and placed the lives of other road users at serious risk of harm.
Williams, from Harpurhey, joined United at the age of seven and came through the club's academy. He made his debut in a League Cup game against Rochdale in September 2019, before making his first Premier League appearance against Liverpool the following month.
He went on to make more than 51 appearances for the Reds and had a season-long loan spell at Norwich in 2021/22.
He last featured for United in a Carabao Cup match against Burnley in December 2022.
He spent part of the 2023/24 season on loan at Ipswich where he made his last appearance in December 2023. He was sent back to his parent club in early 2024.
He is currently without a club after his United contract expired at the end of that season.