Courtney Meppen-Walter dead at 32: Former Man City and England youth star passes away as old club Bury lead the tributes

· DailyMail

Former Manchester City youth star Courtney Meppen-Walter has died, his former club Bury have announced.

Former Manchester City youth star Courtney Meppen-Walter has died, his former club Bury have announced.

Bury confirmed Meppen-Walter's death at the age of 32 in a statement on social media.

No details have been announced regarding the circumstances of Meppen-Walter's death.

> 'We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Courtney Meppen-Walter, at the age of 32,' a Bury statement read.

> 'The thoughts and condolences of everyone at Bury FC are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.'

Meppen-Walter had been part of Manchester City's youth set-up and captained England's Under-18 side.

Courtney Meppen-Walter, who played for Man City and England at youth level, has died at the age of 32. Pictured in 2010

He was released by Man City in 2013 after he was jailed for 16 months for causing the death of two people by careless driving.

Kulwant Singh, 32, and his sister Ravel Kaur, 37, were both pronounced dead at the scene following a high-speed crash in Manchester.

Meppen-Walter was released after serving half of that sentence.

The defender joined Carlisle United following his release from prison and spent two seasons at the Cumbrian side.

Meppen-Walter later had spells at Ashton United, Stockport County, Glossop North End, Chorley, AFC Telford United, Radcliffe, Guiseley, Nantwich Town, Bury and Stalybridge Celtic.

Meppen-Walter was released by Bury in the summer of 2025 after a loan spell at Stalybridge Celtic.

In 2019, when Meppen-Walter was playing for Chorley, he was banned from being behind the wheel for 22 months after he was caught drink-driving.

Meppen-Walter had been found to have been more than twice the legal limit when he was stopped in his vehicle by police in Manchester city centre.

Meppen-Walter played for Carlisle United between 2013 and 2015, before a career in non-league football

The footballer had been arrested and taken to a police station where he gave a positive reading of 85 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit being 35mcg.

Meppen-Walter was also ordered to serve a 12-month community order, as well as completing 80 hours of unpaid work.

> 'I know what you are probably thinking and what everyone else is thinking,’ Meppen-Walter said in court.

> ‘I will probably get called every namen under the sun and I deserve it. I'm just embarrassed.'

The court had heard that alcohol played no part in the deaths of Mr Singh and Ms Kaur who had come to the UK from Afghanistan in 2001 to start a new life after fleeing persecution by the Taliban.

A pre-sentence probation report noted his drink-driving reflected 'poor judgment' when considering his previous conviction and that 'again he has failed to consider the consequences of his actions'.

> Caitriona McLaughlin, defending, said: 'The most significant mitigation in this case is his genuine remorse which has been reflected throughout. He is truly sorry for his actions.

> 'It was a mistake and it is the one and only drink mistake on his record.'

> Chairwoman of the bench Margaret Hutchinson said: 'We hope this will be a lesson to you and we will not see you in court again.

> 'Drink-driving is a very serious matter and the consequences could have been much graver than today.'

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