Richard Littler KC represents former Manchester United footballer who avoids prison
May 23, 2025
Richard Littler KC from Exchange Chambers, instructed by Philip Williams at Blackfords LLP and leading Gareth Darbyshire from Selwyn Chambers, represented former Manchester United footballer Brandon Williams who today received a suspended jail sentence for dangerous driving after he reached almost 100mph (161kmh) before crashing.
Mr Williams, 24, was spotted driving in an erratic manner in an Audi A3 on the A34 near Handforth, Cheshire, on 20 August 2023. He and the front seat passenger were seen with a balloons in their mouths and nitrous oxide cannisters were found after the crash.
His vehicle collided with a Ford Fiesta before crashing into the central reservation.
He admitted dangerous driving and driving without insurance in March 2025.
The Defence had established with scientific evidence that Mr Williams was not in fact under the influence of nitrous oxide and the road side test suggesting impairment was flawed and inadmissible. It was agreed Mr Williams would be sentenced on the basis of his driving alone without any impairment or the taking of drugs whilst driving. On that more favourable basis Richard Littler KC sought a Goodyear Indication and a non-custodial suspended sentence disposal was indicated.
At the Sentence hearing Richard Littler KC confirmed Mr Williams was ‘deeply and genuinely remorseful’ and that Mr Williams “wishes to apologise to the court through me to anyone he’s harmed physically and emotionally through his actions.
“He accepts there is simply no excuse for what he did, and he does not challenge it.”
Richard Littler KC said the Covid pandemic had a big impact on Mr Williams’ career.
“The demands of being a professional footballer were huge upon him and his family,” he said, adding Mr Williams’ relationships with loved ones became ‘strained.’
He ‘began to move in different social circles’ and ‘isolated himself’ which ‘affected his mental health.’
Richard Littler KC continued: “It’s clear that in the last few years Mr Williams has had to live with significant mental health issues and neurological issues.” He had received ‘treatment, monitoring, help and care” from a medic and the court case had also ‘weighed heavily’ on him, he said.
However, Richard Littler KC confirmed Mr Williams is now ‘back in training’ and is working with a coach in order to try and earn a contract with a club this summer.
“He’s in better shape mentally and physically,” he said.
“He’s trying his level best to get his career on track and improve his mental wellbeing.”
Taking into account Richard Littler KC’s submissions, Recorder Eric Lamb sentenced Mr Williams to a 14-month jail term suspended for two years. He also banned the footballer from driving for three years and ordered him to complete 180 hours of unpaid work as part of a community order.
Mr Brendan Wiliams issued the following statement through his law firm, Blackfords LLP.
“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.
“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.”
Further press coverage:
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cly36z3lep5o
