Latest news with #ChesterCrownCourt
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ex-Man Utd player sentenced over high-speed crash
Former Manchester United footballer Brandon Williams has received a suspended jail sentence for dangerous driving after he reached almost 100mph (161kmh) before crashing. Williams, 24, was spotted driving in an erratic manner in an Audi A3 on the A34 near Handforth, Cheshire, on 20 August 2023. His vehicle then collided with a Ford Fiesta before crashing into the central reservation. Chester Crown Court heard he was seen with a balloon at his mouth. Williams admitted dangerous driving and driving without insurance and was sentenced to a 14-month jail term, suspended for two years. Recorder Eric Lamb also banned the footballer, who was on loan at Ipswich Town at the time, from driving for three years and ordered him to complete 180 hours of unpaid work as part of a community order. Last June, Manchester United announced Williams would leave the club at the end of his contract. The full-back, who was contracted to Manchester United at the time, was with a female passenger and was driving at up to 99mph in a 70mph zone. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the woman was seen filming at one point on her phone, adding that it was clear to witnesses that the car was out of control when it collided with the other car. There was extensive damage to Williams' car, damage to the offside on the Ford Fiesta with a wheel missing, as well as damage to the central reservation. Williams was treated in hospital for several injuries and then taken to Middlewich custody suite. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Ex-Man Utd player did 99mph before crash
Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Times
From next Gary Neville to brush with jail: the fall of Brandon Williams
A little over six years ago, Brandon Williams was being lauded as the latest talent off the Manchester United production line. The 19-year-old was earning plaudits from coaching staff, pundits, team-mates and supporters as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made him the 228th academy graduate to break into the first team. He didn't waste time in establishing himself as the first-choice left back at the club he had supported his whole life. Now 24, Williams is without a club and has not played a game of professional football for more than 18 months. On Friday, he was sentenced at Chester Crown Court to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years, after admitting dangerous driving. Williams was also ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid community service and has been banned from driving for three years. It is the latest chapter in the rapid rise and fall of a Manchester boy destined for the top until off-the-pitch issues and poor advice led to his career trajectory taking a very different turn. In at the Anfield deep end It was a few weeks after his 19th birthday in September 2019 that Solskjaer handed Williams his first senior start in a League Cup game against Rochdale. His mum Lisa, who runs a cafe in the Harpurhey suburb of Manchester, proudly stuck Manchester Evening News cuttings from the match and the team sheet on the kitchen walls of her business. It was a proud moment for the family and the area. After joining United at seven, he started as a right back but switched flanks when he broke into the under-18s. Ethan Laird, now at Birmingham City, had nailed down the right-back position so Williams showed his determination and character by getting his head down and making the left back shirt his own. By January 2020, injury to Luke Shaw and the form of Ashley Young meant Williams was the club's first-choice left back. Solskjaer privately spoke to staff about how impressed he was with the player's mentality and maturity. He had no qualms about throwing him in at the deep end at Anfield, knowing he would thrive in the hostile atmosphere and drawing comparisons with Gary Neville. Speaking about him in that breakthrough year, Nicky Butt, then the head of United's academy, said: 'A lot of it was through ability, but a lot through his character and drive. At this club we're big believers that it's not just talent, it's that character that keeps you at the club for a long time. 'I always say it: talent gets you through the door but it doesn't keep you here, determination and the will to train hard and learn — that's massive. And Brandon has amazing character.' By the end of his breakthrough season he had made 36 first-team appearances as United finished third. He had also played in the Europa League semi-final and earned a call up for England Under-21. 'Brandon's never ever let us down and another excellent performance by him. [He's] definitely a lesson for everyone who wants to be a professional footballer; the attitude he's showing,' Solskjaer said in June 2020. Bumper contract, Heaton clash and hangers on Solskjaer liked his confidence but was also wary. The Norwegian had been considering taking Williams on pre-season tour in 2019 only to hear him tell one of his team-mates in a youth team game that he was 'f***ing shit' after failing to control a through-ball. In later years he would clash with the veteran goalkeeper, Tom Heaton, during a pre-season friendly and was known to occasionally lose his head on the training pitch. Williams's rapid progress meant he was rewarded with a bumper contract to reflect his status and standing within the squad. It was a four-year deal with a significant wage increase and those who worked closely with Williams noticed a change in demeanour. But outside of the walls of Carrington, United's training ground, there was a feeling that some around him were trying to use him. His confidence was bordering on brashness and it was felt he had a group of hangers-on around him who weren't helping him make the best decisions to benefit his career. Financially he had people relying on him and he was generous with his cash; he bought his dad a brand new Mercedes with his first paycheck. That money allowed him to have a lifestyle and a status but he struggled with the pressure of being a United regular. He found the limelight difficult and couldn't get his head around not being able to do everyday tasks, such as going to the supermarket or having dinner with friends, without fans wanting to take his picture. 'It went from 0-100 real quick and that's what people will never understand,' Williams said in March. He spoke about family members he had never heard of getting in touch with him, and how he felt people he was barely friends with were latching on to him and then stabbing him in the back. Those who work in the game doubted that some of the people he had around him had his best interests at heart. The road to redemption just got longer During the 2020-21 season, which was played behind closed doors because of the Covid pandemic, Williams struggled to have anywhere near the same impact and played only four times in the Premier League. His performance levels dropped and the defender partially blamed the empty stadiums and not being able to thrive off the atmosphere of the fans for his decline. He also struggled with the at-home training players had to do during lockdown, because he did not have the space in his bedroom at his mum's house. The fact his fitness levels dropped meant lost his place to Luke Shaw. A loan spell at Norwich City the following season helped Williams mature and there was a feeling that leaving Manchester and certain negative influences would help him. He spoke about the benefits of training, recovering and eating well with no distractions. Yet he continued to be poorly advised. Take an Instagram post while he was at Carrow Road where he posted a picture of himself raising his middle finger after he was abused by fans following a 4-0 defeat by West Ham United in May 2022. 'He posted that in an emotional moment. He did the right thing and took it down,' the Norwich manager at the time, Dean Smith, said. A year later, Williams made an ill-judged post about Manchester City when they had won the Treble which United sources were quick to distance themselves from. That summer United were willing to listen to offers to let Williams leave permanently. He was left out of the pre-season tour squad with a 'small issue' but it was clear Erik ten Hag did not want him and he made only one appearance. In March 2023 he was pictured in a car near the training ground by The Sun, allegedly inhaling nitrous oxide. In August of that year, he was arrested after being involved in a high speed crash where prosecutors allege he had a balloon in his mouth, which he denied in court as he was sentenced for the crime. That was not the first driving-related incident he had been involved in, having twice been banned from driving after amassing 30 points on his licence. Off the pitch the situation, in Williams' words, was 'bad' but Solskjaer's former assistant Kieran McKenna, with whom Williams had a close bond, offered him a lifeline on loan at Ipswich Town. He signed four days after his arrest. The move started well enough as he was a regular starter, scoring key goals against Huddersfield Town and Preston North End in their ultimately successful bid for promotion from the Championship, but injury and illness affected his time there and he played his last game for the club on December 29. His decision to turn up to training in expensive sports cars was said to have irritated players and staff at the club and off-the-pitch matters and issues with his family and friends were felt to be affecting his focus, so McKenna sent him back to Manchester to sort out his problems. Sources who recall seeing him at Carrington remarked he looked gaunt and not like himself, potentially embarrassed at how the season had ended up playing out. '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.' Instead he ended up training at The Cliff, United's former training ground, on his own with a coach before being released. It is understood United have since tried to offer support and Williams has a close bond with one of the first-team staff who has regularly checked in.
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- Wales Online
Mum jailed after what she did with two Kinder Eggs at a festival
Mum jailed after what she did with two Kinder Eggs at a festival After entering the security tent, Sian Bullock was stopped by security staff Drug dogs detected the Kinder Eggs on Sian Bullock (Image: Facebook ) A woman has been jailed after she was found with Kinder Eggs filled with drugs at a festival in 2023. Mum-of-four, Sian Bullock attended Creamfields festival in Cheshire on August 26, 2023. The 35-year-old was stopped by security after going into the security tent at the north gate entrance due to a positive indication by a drugs dog, Chester Crown Court heard. She was then taken to a private area where she admitted to officers that she had two Kinder Egg containers inside her vagina that contained 64 MDMA tablets. When being questioned, Bullock, of Thornton-Cleveleys in Fylde, claimed that she did not know what the drugs were, but admitted that she had bought them for personal use, the court heard. She was later charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here Creamfields is attended by around 80,000 people - and will feature the likes of Fatboy Slim and Calvin Harris this year (Image: Liverpool Echo ) Bullock appeared in court on Friday, May 16 where she pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to three years in prison, the Manchester Evening News reported. Article continues below The judge said during the sentencing hearing that although Bullock had admitted her guilt and the fact that she was a mother of four, she knew what she was doing was wrong . The judge also sated that they had no option but to give her a custodial sentence. Following Bullock's sentencing, Police Constable Lisa Green of Cheshire Constabulary, said: "Every year, we and the Creamfields events and security teams do our utmost to ensure that everyone attending the festival can have a safe and enjoyable time, and for the most part festivalgoers have respected the laws. "Bullock will have no doubt been aware of these laws and the restrictions at Creamfields and would have had ample opportunity to re-think her actions before it was too late, with amnesty bins and surrender points placed at all festival entries, but she decided to run the risk - which did not pay off. 'As a result of her selfish actions that day, she is now behind bars and her four children will now be without their mother for a considerable period of time. "Anyone who, like Bullock, decides to risk bringing illegal drugs into Cheshire should seriously reconsider their choices, as we will always take swift and robust action, and they will be dealt with to the full extent of the law." Article continues below
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Mum-of-four locked up because of what she did with a Kinder Egg at festival
Sian Bullock, 35, from Fylde, was stopped by security at Creamfields festival, in Cheshire, and admitted that she had Kinder Eggs filled with drugs hidden in an intimate part of her body A mum-of-four has been jailed after she was caught hiding drug-filled Kinder Eggs in an intimate part of her body at a music festival. Sian Bullock, 35, attended the popular Creamfields festival in Daresbury, Cheshire, on August 26, 2023, where she was quickly caught. After entering the security tent at the north gate entrance, she was then stopped by security staff due to a positive indication by a drugs dog, a court heard. The mum, from Thornton-Cleveleys in Fylde, was then taken to private area by officers where she admitted that she had two of the Kinder Egg containers secreted in her vagina which contained 64 MDMA tablets. In questioning Bullock claimed that she didn't know what the drugs were, but told of how she had purchased them for personal use, Chester Crown Court heard. Despite her claim, she was later charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs. Bullock, of Halton Avenue in Thornton-Cleveleys, appeared in court on May 16, where she was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to the offence, reported the Manchester Evening News. During the sentencing hearing, the judge stated that while Bullock had admitted her guilt and the fact that she is a mother of four children, she knew what she was doing was wrong which meant a custodial sentence was the only option. Following Bullock's sentencing, Police Constable Lisa Green of Cheshire Constabulary, said: "Every year, we and the Creamfields events and security teams do our utmost to ensure that everyone attending the festival can have a safe and enjoyable time, and for the most part festivalgoers have respected the laws. "Bullock will have no doubt been aware of these laws and the restrictions at Creamfields and would have had ample opportunity to re-think her actions before it was too late, with amnesty bins and surrender points placed at all festival entries, but she decided to run the risk - which did not pay off. 'As a result of her selfish actions that day, she is now behind bars and her four children will now be without their mother for a considerable period of time. "Anyone who, like Bullock, decides to risk bringing illegal drugs into Cheshire should seriously reconsider their choices, as we will always take swift and robust action, and they will be dealt with to the full extent of the law."
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Daily Record
Mum-of-four jailed after bizarre Kinder Egg incident at Creamfields festival
Authorities said Sian Bullock's four kids 'will now be without their mother for a considerable period of time'. A mum-of-four has been locked up after she was caught with two Kinder Eggs hidden inside her body at a dance music festival. Sian Bullock was stopped by security as she entered Creamfields in Daresbury, Cheshire, on August 26, 2023. A sniffer dog picked up the scent as she entered the security tent at the north gate entrance, Chester Crown Court was told, reports Lancs Live. The 35-year-old from Thornton-Cleveleys was then escorted to a private area by officers where she confessed to having two Kinder Egg containers concealed in her vagina, which were later found to contain 64 MDMA tablets. During questioning, the mum claimed she was unaware what the drugs were, but admitted to purchasing them for personal use, the court heard. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Despite her claim, she was charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs. Bullock, of Halton Avenue in Thornton-Cleveleys, appeared in court on May 16, where she was handed a three-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to the offence. At the sentencing hearing, the judge stated that while Bullock had admitted her guilty and despite being a mother of four children, she knew what she was doing was wrong and that a custodial sentence was the only option. Following Bullock's sentencing, Police Constable Lisa Green of Cheshire Constabulary, said: "Every year, we and the Creamfields events and security teams do our utmost to ensure that everyone attending the festival can have a safe and enjoyable time, and for the most part festivalgoers have respected the laws. "Bullock will have no doubt been aware of these laws and the restrictions at Creamfields and would have had ample opportunity to re-think her actions before it was too late, with amnesty bins and surrender points placed at all festival entries, but she decided to run the risk - which did not pay off. "As a result of her selfish actions that day, she is now behind bars and her four children will now be without their mother for a considerable period of time. "Anyone who, like Bullock, decides to risk bringing illegal drugs into Cheshire should seriously reconsider their choices, as we will always take swift and robust action, and they will be dealt with to the full extent of the law."
