Former Manchester United star Brandon Williams was today handed a 14-month suspended jail sentence for dangerous driving after crashing into another car at 99mph.
The 24-year-old, who was once paid £3.4million a year as a defender, had been ‘driving erratically’ in his Audi A3 before hitting a Ford Fiesta and careering into the central reservation of the A34 in Cheshire.
Williams admitted he had been trying to show off to a female passenger who was sitting next to him, and a witness is said to have filmed him with a balloon in his mouth. Prosecutors said it was ‘fortunate’ nobody was seriously injured or killed.
Judge Eric Lamb today sentenced the footballer to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years. He also banned Williams from driving for three years and ordered him to do 180 hours of unpaid work.
It is a dramatic fall from grace for a homegrown Manchester talent who once hailed for his fearless performances on the pitch and being ‘as brave as a lion’.
But after a dip in form, Man Utd announced last June that he would leave the club at the end of his contract, and during the time of the incident – on August 20, 2023 – he was on loan with Ipswich Town.
Judge Lamb, sitting in the Chester Crown Court, told Williams ‘there was no reason for driving in the way you did’ but said there was ‘strong personal mitigation’ after committing the offence at a time of depression.
Williams was told he had been ‘stupid’ and earned ‘too much too soon’.
Brandon Williams, 24, leaves Chester Crown Court following his sentencing today
Williams – seen leaving court – crashed his car at 99mph on the A34 in Cheshire in August 2023
A female motorist travelling behind Williams on the dual carriageway shortly before 6pm thought he was not in control of his vehicle, which was braking heavily and dropping back to leave a small gap, the court heard.
Max Saffman, prosecuting, said the woman noticed the driver and a female passenger appeared to have yellow balloons in their mouths, and she was ‘scared’ they would collide with her vehicle.
The Audi overtook and swerved in front of her, in what she said was a ‘needless manoeuvre’.
Williams then repeated the same behaviour as he drove up to a Ford Fiesta driven by Clare Smith, the court was told, but as he pulled out to overtake he hit the rear of her vehicle and then careered into the central reservation.
Both vehicles were extensively damaged.
In victim personal statements Ms Smith and her two female passengers all described Williams’s driving as ‘too fast and erratic’. One said she thought she was going to be killed.
They sustained various physical injuries, including whiplash and bruising, and all had suffered a psychological impact.
The court was told that Williams’s ‘prolonged episode’ of dangerous driving took place over five miles and, although he was not under the influence of Class C drug nitrous oxide at the time, he had assisted his front-seat passenger to use her balloon.
Collision investigators concluded that Williams was driving at 99mph on the 70mph limit road just four seconds before the crash.
The footballer had previously received driving bans of six months in October 2023 and 12 months in May 2024.
His sentencing comes nearly a year since he was released by Manchester United, who opted not to renew his contract
Gary Neville was a fan of Williams in his breakthrough season at United
In the latter case, he twice failed to declare who was driving and was handed 12 points on his licence and a £1,000 fine.
Speaking at the trial over his 99mph crash, Richard Littler KC, defending, said there was a ‘mental health aspect’ to the case and the footballer had ‘lost’ his career and a relationship.
Williams was asked about witnesses who saw him with a balloon at his mouth but he replied: ‘No comment’.
The footballer was breathalysed at the scene, providing a negative result, arrested with dangerous driving and not carrying third party insurance.
Andrew Madden, the CPS senior crown prosecutor, said: ‘Brandon Williams’ driving on that day clearly fell far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver.
‘Witnesses said Williams kept speeding up and then breaking 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 a fortunate no one was seriously injured or killed.’
Williams, who grew up in a tough Manchester estate, was handed a debut by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer six years ago before making 51 appearances for United and winning one cap for England’s Under 21s.
Handed a debut by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019, Williams made 51 appearances for United
His loan spell at Ipswich was cut short after the manager had become aware of issues with friends and family.
Things were starting to go crazy off the pitch, with friends and stuff like that,’ Williams said on the More than a Match podcast.
‘I ended up coming back to Manchester, sorted a lot of things out. Things got worse, so then the process didn’t really get me back down there.’
Williams was open about his struggles, adding on the Fozcast podcast: ‘I go into this mode where I just don’t care. I have this switch where I don’t care what happens. They [family and friends] wanted me to get back to football but they could see I’d fallen out of love with.
‘It hurts me watching football now because I just want to be there, I just want to play. I miss being in a team, on the coach, travelling to games, having meals together and just doing things.
‘I want to have that feeling again of winning and being around the changing room environment.
‘I’ve had loads of teams trying to get me out – America, Europe and England – but I haven’t been ready. I want to go somewhere 100% focused and kick on.
‘I would like to experience that different culture. I’m only 24 so I could do three or four years abroad. Definitely Europe at a good club or an upcoming club.’
Williams admitted recently that he had been struggling to watch football but wants to make a return.
Williams poses with Marcus Rashford after United win the Carabao Cup in February 2023
Williams’ playing career first took off soon after turning 19, when he was handed his debut in an EFL Cup match against Rochdale.
The following month, he was hailed as ‘man of the match’ in a Europa League away victory against Partisan Belgrade by then-United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Norwegian eulogised about his young prospect, saying: ‘He’s been fantastic the few games he’s played. The boy has no fear, he is as brave as a lion and he got us the win.’
Ed Woodward, United’s then chief executive, was so impressed he told people Williams had replaced England international Luke Shaw as the club’s top left back.
But Williams, who had been with Manchester United from the age of seven, quickly discovered a down side.
He said: ‘It was difficult. You had family members you didn’t know was (sic) your family, friends you didn’t know was your mates.’
Everyday activities such as going to the shops or for family meals soon became problematic.
He recalled: ‘I am and always will still act who I am. I like to walk round ASDA, do my shopping, I like to think of it as a little meditation, listening to the radio and getting all the bargains.
‘I had someone come up to me and say, what are you doing in here? I thought, what do you mean, why can’t I be in here?
‘The limelight’s on you and the things I found hard was when I was out with my family and people are coming up to me and asking for photos.
‘I’m about to eat my steak and someone’s come up for a picture. When I’m with my family, I’m with my family. That’s what I lost.’
Williams added that as soon as he became successful ‘everyone just wanted, wanted, wanted’, pressuring him and his family for match tickets or Manchester United shirts.
He went on: ‘My dad (Paul Williams) went on Facebook and said ”no shirts, no tickets, it’s stopping now”’.
Williams even described having to be sneaked into venues by the ‘back door’ to avoid the attention of fans.
