Evan Williams, a prominent horse trainer with Cheltenham Festival winners to his name, has been convicted of a violent assault against a dog walker on his property. The 54-year-old trainer, who was due to have runners at this week's prestigious Cheltenham Festival, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent at Cardiff Crown Court.
Violent Night-Time Confrontation
The court heard how Williams repeatedly struck 72-year-old Martin Dandridge with a hockey stick during a night-time confrontation on December 4, 2024. Mr Dandridge, who was staying at a holiday cottage near Williams' racehorse training centre in Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan, had taken his cockerpoo Gulliver for a walk in a paddock that formed part of the stables.
Because it was dark, Mr Dandridge was using a torch to navigate the terrain. Williams and his family spotted the lights on their land and mistakenly believed Mr Dandridge was engaged in "lamping" - a practice where people use bright lights to find animals such as rabbits and foxes, often accompanied by dogs.
Significant Injuries Sustained
The assault left Mr Dandridge with serious injuries including a fractured arm. The jury at Cardiff Crown Court took just 90 minutes to reach their guilty verdict against Williams, who has trained numerous successful racehorses including Cheltenham Festival winners.
During the trial, prosecutor William Bebb suggested Williams had been "filled with rage" due to previous incidents on his property, including fly-grazing, hare coursing, and poaching. "Whether a broken bone or a wound, you wanted to teach those lampers a lesson," Mr Bebb told the court. "I suggest you struck him repeatedly, swearing and shouting as you did."
Defence Arguments and Sentencing Delay
Williams maintained his innocence throughout the trial, claiming Mr Dandridge had been injured after being pulled over by his out-of-control dog and falling into a drainage hole. "If we hadn't acted in the way we had, Mr Dandridge could have been on his own, hit his head, and we could be looking at serious, serious, serious death," the father-of-three told the court.
Defence barrister David Elias KC requested an adjournment for sentencing to allow for pre-sentence reports and to give Williams time to make alternative arrangements for his racing business should he be imprisoned. "He has his business and he will need to consider how that will be looked after, bearing in mind the risk of him losing his liberty," Mr Elias explained.
Racing Commitments and Bail Conditions
Williams had been due to be represented by the horse Libberty Hunter in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday. His defence highlighted these "very pressing commitments in the racing world" as reasons for requesting additional time before sentencing.
Recorder Angharad Price agreed to continue Williams' conditional bail and scheduled sentencing for April 14 after the preparation of probation reports. She emphasized the importance of Williams cooperating fully with probation services during this period.
The trainer remains subject to bail conditions that prohibit him from contacting Mr Dandridge directly or indirectly. The court heard there had been no difficulties with these conditions since they were imposed.
Broader Implications for Racing Community
This conviction comes during one of the most important weeks in the racing calendar, with the Cheltenham Festival attracting international attention. Williams' training stable, which includes his daughter Isobel who has been photographed with him at race meetings, now faces uncertainty as the trainer awaits his sentence.
The case has highlighted tensions between landowners and those accessing rural properties, particularly in areas where illegal activities like poaching have created suspicion and conflict. The swift jury verdict suggests the court found Williams' account of events unconvincing compared to the prosecution's evidence of a deliberate, violent assault.
As Williams prepares for sentencing next month, the racing world watches to see how this conviction will affect both his personal freedom and his professional career in an industry where reputation carries significant weight.
