Jockey jailed for killing man in fight outside pub

A jockey who admitted killing a 71-year-old grandfather during a fight outside a pub has been jailed for three years.

Richard Wingrove died in hospital 10 days after he was punched twice by Levi Williams outside the Waggon and Horses in Newmarket, Suffolk, on 8 March 2025.

Williams, 27, of Old Post Office Lane, Trefonen, Oswestry, Shropshire, had admitted manslaughter and was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court on Thursday.

Judge Sean Enright said the initial blow "could be classed as self-defence" but added: "The last punch could not be so justified."

Prosecutor Jane Oldfield told the judge how Williams - who was living in Holland Park, Newmarket at the time - and fellow jockey Matthew Wilson, had become involved in an altercation with Wingrove and his son Jamie while drinking in the pub.

Oldfield said Wingrove and his son had been "ejected" as a result of being "disorderly and abusive" to staff.

She said both had been "aggressive" and Jamie Wingrove had made "threats".

Parts of the altercation were caught on CCTV and footage was played at the hearing.

Police said Wingrove had been celebrating a birthday.

Footage played to the court showed a fight starting after Williams and Wilson appeared to attempt to stop Wingrove - who walked with the aid of a stick - and his son from going back into the pub.

Wilson had begun fighting with Jamie Wingrove - and Wingrove and Williams had become involved.

The court heard Williams had punched Wingrove, who had had fallen to the floor before getting up, Oldfield said.

Oldfield said Williams had then punched Wingrove a second time.

"Suddenly the defendant punched Richard Wingrove in the head causing him to fall to the floor and hit his head on the pavement," Oldfield said.

"This was the fatal blow - Richard Wingrove never got up again."

Oldfield said Winfield had suffered bleeding on the brain and a blood clot, and never regained consciousness. She said he had died 10 days later.

Oldfield said Williams had previous convictions for drug driving and drink driving and police had described him as "drunk and shaken" when he was arrested.

He had also tested positive for cocaine use.

Williams said he had drunk to two three pints of beer prior to the incident.

The prosecutor added that Williams had told police that "two unknown men" had been aggressive towards him and Wilson and had thrown punches.

He said his actions were "designed to defend himself".

William England, for Williams, said the jockey had not realised how severe Wingrove's injuries were.

He said Williams had never been involved in violence before.

Det Con Hannah Barrett, speaking outside court after the hearing, said Richard Wingrove had been "celebrating his birthday" when he lost his life in a "completely avoidable act of violence".

She said his death had caused "devastation for so many people".

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