Welsh Grand National-winning trainer Evan Williams has been jailed for three years for attacking a dog walker who was on his land. The 55-year-old repeatedly struck Martin Dandridge, 72, with a hockey stick in December 2024 at Llancarfan, south Wales.
Dandridge, from Swindon, suffered injuries including a fractured arm. Williams denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent but was convicted by a unanimous jury after a trial at Cardiff Crown Court in March.
Sentencing Williams, Recorder Angharad Price said the offence was appalling and that Dandridge was still living with the impact. She noted that six weeks before the assault, Williams had been threatened with a shotgun by poachers, but added: 'It is never acceptable to take the law into your own hands.'
Williams's barrister, David Elias KC, told the court that the trainer's business would be in doubt if he were imprisoned. Williams established Evan Williams Racing in 2003 and has trained multiple Grade One winners, including Secret Reprieve, winner of the 2020 Welsh Grand National. Last month, a horse running in his wife's name won at the Cheltenham Festival.
