New charge introduced as jockey appears in court following death of a man after fight outside Newmarket pub

Jockey Levi Williams will return to court at the end of next month for a plea hearing following an amendment to his indictment to include a charge of manslaughter for the first time.

Williams, 26, had been charged with murder in March following a brawl in Newmarket High Street that resulted in the death of 71-year-old Richard Wingrove.

Appearing at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday, Williams spoke to confirm his name and age. However, he was not asked by judge Mark Bishop to enter a plea following the change to the indictment and the requirement of a pathologist’s report to be served to the defendant.

Instead, the case will reconvene on June 27, with the Home Office pathologist requiring the input of a specialist neurological pathologist as part of the process of confirming the reason for death.

Addressing Williams, Bishop said: “You are not required to be arraigned today. The hearing will be adjourned until June 27, once the defence is served pathology evidence and you have been advised. If there is to be a trial, it will take place on September 15.”

Before his arrest and charge following the fight outside The Golden Lion pub in Newmarket on March 8, Williams had been rebuilding his career following an 18-month suspension for testing positive for a second time for cocaine. 

The rider had been relicensed by the BHA and had been scheduled to have his first ride back in the week beginning March 10. Williams has ridden 12 winners on the Flat in Britain, with his last success coming on Super Den at Chelmsford in February 2023.

Williams and another man, aged 23, were initially arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm after being involved in the fight that resulted in the closure of the high street. They had been drinking in the nearby Waggon & Horses pub between morning and evening shifts at one of the town's stables.

Wingrove was taken to hospital in Cambridge after emergency services were called. Suffolk Police later confirmed he had died in hospital having failed to regain consciousness.

A fourth man, aged 45, was also taken to hospital in Cambridge but released on the same evening. He was later arrested on suspicion of affray and bailed until June 9. The 23-year-old man has been bailed until June 5.