A judge criticized a jockey during his sentencing for the manslaughter of a pensioner, stating that the jockey could have avoided the situation instead of resorting to violence. Levi Williams, aged 27, received a three-year jail term for causing the death of Richard Wingrove, 71, after punching him at least twice outside a pub in Newmarket, Suffolk.
According to prosecutor Jane Oldfield at Peterborough Crown Court, the incident occurred on March 8, 2025, when Mr. Wingrove and his son Jamie Wingrove, who needed a walking stick, were drinking at pubs along the town’s high street. Both Wingroves were ejected from the Waggon and Horses following disruptive behavior towards the staff.
Williams, accompanied by his friend Matthew Wilson, was also present at the pub when altercations between the Wingroves and the staff took place. CCTV footage displayed in court showed the jockeys attempting to prevent one of the Wingroves from entering the pub.
After leaving the pub, a verbal confrontation ensued between Williams and the Wingroves. Williams was seen throwing punches at both Jamie and Richard Wingrove. The situation escalated, leading to Williams striking Richard Wingrove on the head, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement.
As a result of the incident, Mr. Wingrove passed away in a hospital in Cambridge on March 18. Williams, who was later found to have tested positive for cocaine, claimed during his interview that he had consumed a few pints of beer and felt threatened by the Wingroves’ actions.
During sentencing, Judge Sean Enright acknowledged that Williams was not the initial aggressor but emphasized that Williams could have avoided further violence. He sentenced Williams to three years in prison, highlighting the severity of the situation and the vulnerability of the victim.
The court session witnessed emotional reactions from the public gallery as Williams was escorted to the cells. Louisa Reah, Mr. Wingrove’s daughter, expressed the impact of her father’s tragic death, mentioning his poor eyesight and reliance on a walking stick. Detective Constable Hannah Barrett, speaking after the hearing, described the incident as a “completely avoidable act of violence” that had caused devastation to many people.