News

Ex-Manchester United player Brandon Williams issues public statement following sentencing

He's looking to close this chapter quickly and move forward.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 27th May 2025

Former Manchester United youngster Brandon Williams and his legal team have issued a statement following his recent sentencing over dangerous driving charges.

The Crumpsall-born defender left the club last year after being released following a 14-year stint in Red, graduating from Man United’s academy and making a number of first-team appearances before being sent out on a pair of loan spells.

After representing Norwich City 26 times and then making just 15 appearances for former youth coach Kieran McKenna‘s Ipswich Town, he hasn’t played professional football for more than 17 months.

Williams was officially given a 14-month prison sentence this past Friday, 23 May, but the term has been suspended for two years, and now Brandon himself has responded following the decision.

The free agent pleaded guilty to driving dangerously earlier this month after it was found had been driving at speeds of up to 99mph in a 70 zone prior to crashing his Audi A3.

ADVERTISEMENT

Issuing a statement to The Manc via his lawyers at Blackfords LLP, he said: “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.

ADVERTISEMENT

“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.”

Despite Chester Crown Court hearing that he and his female passenger at the time “appeared to have yellow balloons in their mouth” – typically associated with imbibing nitrous oxide a.k.a. ‘laughing gas’ – Williams has maintained that he was sober during the incident throughout the investigation.

The crash, which occurred on the A34 near Handforth in Cheshire back in August 2023, saw the left-back collide with a Ford Fiesta after a female motorist travelling behind him on the dual carriageway around 6pm claimed he seemed out of control of the vehicle. Both cars were heavily damaged.

ADVERTISEMENT

While Williams will be avoiding jail time, his suspended prison sentence has not only seen him banned from driving for three years but will also see him have to complete 180 hours of community service.

In addition to the collision itself, Williams racked up a total of 30 points on his license for multiple offences, including twice failing to declare who was driving, operating a vehicle without third-party insurance, and now this latest development, having already paid a £1,000 fine in May 2024.

The 24-year-old has since spoken out about the incident in brief detail with Ben Foster (a fellow former United player) on his podcast.

Brandon Williams’ most recent statement isn’t the first time he’s touched upon the incident.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Ardfern (via WikiCommons)/Instagram/ Fozcast (screenshot via YouTube)

News

Man jailed after violent machete attack in Bolton left victim ‘seriously injured’

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A man has been jailed after carrying out a ‘violent’ machete attack in Bolton that left another man seriously injured.

Dale Dean appeared at Manchester Crown Court on last Friday (20 February 2026) after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a bladed article, and affray, and was subsequently sentenced to six years behind bars.

The 27-year-old from Manchester was found to be carrying a machete ‘without lawful reason’.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that, back on Saturday 5 April 2025, it received reports of a man holding a machete in a shop on Kentmere Road, in the Breightmet area of Bolton, and when officers attended the scene at around 7:50pm, they were told Dean was seen attacking another man in front of staff and members of the public.

The machete was used to attack the victim in the shop, who suffered several serious injuries – including to his head and shoulder.

Dean also caused ‘extensive damage’ to the shop and fled the scene.

In the aftermath of the attack, the victim was said to have struggled ‘to walk out on the street’ and had difficulty sleeping due to the pain and location of his injuries, but he has since recovered well from the attack overall.

On top of the six years in prison, the court imposed an additional 20‑month extended licence period upon Dean’s release due to the seriousness of the offence and the danger he poses to the public.

“This was a shocking and violent incident that left the victim with serious injuries and caused fear within the community,” commented Detective Constable Jordan Brown, of Bolton’s Criminal Investigation Department, following the sentencing at the end of last week.

“Dean’s actions were deliberate, dangerous, and showed a blatant disregard for the safety of others.

Read more:

“[He] used or threatened unlawful violence, causing significant fear to those nearby, and was found to be carrying a machete without lawful reason.

“We welcome today’s sentence, which reflects the gravity of the offences. Our officers will continue to take decisive action against those who carry weapons and commit violent offences on our streets.”

Featured Image – GMP

News

Passengers thanked for their ‘patience’ as Manchester Piccadilly reopens after £7.9m upgrade

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester Piccadilly has now officially reopened after a nine-day closure.

In case you hadn’t heard, Manchester Piccadilly train station closed on Saturday 14 February while a ‘once-in-a-generation upgrade’ was carried out – with very few train services running in or out of the station in the process, and as you’d expect, widespread disruption caused for those travelling around the region.

But thankfully now, after many journeys were impacted for those travelling to and from major destinations like Manchester Airport, and on the West Coast Mainline, the station is now back up and running.

The public are being thanked for their ‘patience’ while the the journey-improving work was carried out this past week.

Network Rail invested £7.9m into the major upgrade, with the main points of action being to improve tracks, points, and signalling systems on the southern approach to Manchester Piccadilly station.

Teams worked to replace 11 sets of points, renew timber sleepers with modern, concrete equivalents, and also bring lineside equipment ‘bang up to date’ across six lines to improve future journeys for passengers and freight.

Investment in this apparent ‘critical stretch’ of track had been long awaited, as any issues with the ageing infrastructure could’ve disrupted all trains running in and out of Manchester.

The closure also resulted in what was said to be one of the largest rail replacement bus operations the city has seen in recent memory, with a total of 8,922 services running over the course of the nine days to keep passengers on the move.

Manchester Piccadilly has now reopened to the public after its £7.9m upgrade / Credit: Network Rail

“We would like to say a big thank you to passengers for their patience while this once-in-a-generation upgrade has taken place over the last nine days,” commented Brian Paynter, who is the Capital Delivery track director at Network Rail.

“Manchester Piccadilly is one of the country’s busiest stations and it’s a key hub for people travelling to the North West.

“Upgrading the track over six lines in what’s known as the Piccadilly corridor will make journeys more reliable and the points and signalling systems less prone to faults – meaning fewer delays for passengers. It’s all part of our long-term commitment to invest millions of pounds to make the North West’s railway fit for the future.”

Read more:

Unfortunately thought, the disruption doesn’t quite end there, as this coming Sunday 1 March, and then again on Sunday 22 March, routine follow-up work will take place to secure the new railway foundation stone through a process called tamping.

This will impact trains until passed midday, with passengers advised to check online ahead of time if planning travel on those dates.

Featured Image – Network Rail

More News

Audio

PinkPantheress named the youngest ever recipient of the BRIT Awards 2026 Producer of the Year Award

Project Halcyon also made the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list. Credit: The Manc Group

City Centre

Acclaimed Manchester cocktail bar named one of UK’s best quietly closes its doors

Foo Fighters surprise Manchester gig O2 Ritz ticket prices

Art & Culture

‘Hefty’ Foo Fighters ticket prices for surprise Manchester gig divide opinion

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches