Former Manchester United star Brandon Williams has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after a high-speed car crash.
Williams, 24, was driving his Audi A3 S Line on the A34, in Wilmslow, Cheshire, in August, 2023, when it was involved in an accident.
The full-back, who is currently without a club and a free agent, allegedly reached speeds of 90mph before crashing at 74mph.
Williams, who has also played for England at under-20 and under-21 level, had previously denied charges of dangerous driving and driving without insurance.
But he changed his pleas when he appeared today Chester Crown Court.
Williams, who stood in the dock wearing a dark suit, entered ‘guilty’ as the two charges were read to him by the court clerk.
His mother Lisa watched on from the public gallery.
Earlier, Richard Littler KC, defending, told the court that there was a ‘mental health aspect’ to the case and the footballer had ‘lost’ his career and a relationship.
At a preliminary hearing at Crewe magistrates’ court in March, 2024, prosecutor Katie Johnson said Williams was seen by witnesses inhaling nitrous oxide from balloons before the crash.
But it is understood prosecutors now accept that wasn’t the case.
The judge Recorder Eric Lamb said he wished to adjourn the case for a pre-sentence report and told Williams that the report should be be directed towards a suspended sentence and a community penalty.
Williams will be sentenced on May 9.
The player was banned from driving in May last year after accumulating 30 points on his licence.
He failed to provide police with information regarding who was driving his top of the range Mercedes on two separate occasions, Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard.
Williams had previously racked up 18 points on his licence and was also fined £1,000 with a £400 court surcharge and costs of £85.
The former footballer, who earned a reported £65,000-a-week at United, has had loan spells at Norwich and Ipswich, but he was released by the Red Devils last summer.