A jockey has been sentenced to three years in prison after admitting responsibility for the death of a 71-year-old man following a violent confrontation outside a pub in Newmarket, Suffolk. Levi Williams, 25, pleaded guilty to manslaughter after Richard Wingrove suffered a fatal head injury during the incident in March last year.
The victim was taken to hospital in critical condition after falling and striking his head on the ground. Despite medical efforts, Wingrove never regained consciousness and died ten days later. Prosecutors accepted Williams’ manslaughter plea, and the former murder charge was dropped. The sentencing was delivered on June 4, bringing an end to a case that shocked the local community.
Fatal pub fight leads to prison sentence for Levi Williams
Cambridge Crown Court heard that the incident took place outside the Waggon & Horses pub on March 8 at around 3:40 pm. Richard Wingrove, who was celebrating his birthday and wearing a cowboy hat, had been removed from the pub along with his son. The pair later attempted to re-enter the premises.
At the same time, Williams and a friend were leaving after spending time drinking in the pub garden. A confrontation soon developed between the two groups. According to court proceedings, Williams and his friend initially became involved in a fight with Wingrove’s son.
During the disturbance, Williams threw punches and struck the pensioner. One blow to the chest caused Wingrove to lose his balance and fall onto the pavement and roadway. Prosecutors said the impact of the fall resulted in a catastrophic head injury that ultimately proved fatal.
After the incident, Williams and his friend attempted to leave the area in a passing vehicle driven by an acquaintance. However, members of the public intervened and prevented them from leaving until police officers arrived.
Williams was first arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. Following Wingrove’s death, he was taken back into custody and questioned again. Tests carried out after his arrest showed traces of cocaine in his system. He also admitted consuming several pints of beer before the altercation.
In police interviews, Williams stated that both sides had exchanged punches during the confrontation. He maintained that the events escalated quickly and said he never intended to cause serious harm. The court heard that the injuries were the result of a fight that spiralled out of control.
Williams had previously served suspensions from horse racing after testing positive for cocaine and cannabis. Before his arrest, he had been attempting to rebuild his riding career after earlier disciplinary sanctions.
