Former £3.4m-per-year Man United star Brandon Williams handed 14-month suspended jail sentence for dangerous driving after 99mph crash

He was found guilty of dangerous driving in March after speeding at 99mph

Ex-Manchester United defender Brandon Williams received a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, for dangerous driving.

Williams, wearing a black suit as the sentencing was handed down, has also been disqualified from driving for three years.

Recorder Eric Lamb told Williams that he had ‘strong personal mitigation’ after committing the offence at a time of depression.

But Willams was told to have been ‘stupid’ and earned ‘too much too soon’ after breaking into the United team. He admitted to have been showing off to a female passenger while driving at high speed.

Williams admitted to a charge of dangerous driving in March after being caught speeding at almost 100mph before crashing his Audi A3.

The 24-year-old is alleged to have been ‘driving erratically’ and hit a Ford Fiesta and crashed into the central reservation on the A34 in August 2023.

Brandon Williams, 24, was seen arriving at Chester Crown Court on Friday morning

He was pictured in a black suit ahead of the sentencing

Williams crashed his car at 99mph on the A34 in Cheshire in August 2023

Williams had provided no comment when it was put to him that witnesses saw a balloon at his mouth while driving.

He was with a female passenger, who is said to have filmed the pair during the journey.

Williams 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 – released by United at the end of last season - admitted recently that he is struggling to watch football but wants to make a return.

Handed a debut by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer six years ago, the full back made 51 appearances for United and won one cap for England’s Under 21s.

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

A loan spell at Ipswich Town under Kieran McKenna 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 added 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.’

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