Welsh Grand National-winning trainer Evan Williams has been jailed for three years for attacking a dog walker with a hockey stick. The 55-year-old repeatedly struck Martin Dandridge, 72, on his land at Llancarfan in south Wales in December 2024, causing 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 him on Tuesday, Recorder Angharad Price described the offence as “appalling” and noted that Dandridge is still living with the impact of the attack 16 months on.
The judge acknowledged that Williams had been threatened with a shotgun by poachers on his land six weeks before the assault, but said it was never acceptable to take the law into his own hands. She said he had a choice to confront Dandridge or wait for police to attend.
The conviction has cast doubt over the future of Williams's training business. His barrister, David Elias KC, told the court: “If he isn’t there, there is no business.” Williams's wife, Cath, has taken over the licence, and last month Ask Brewster, running in her name, won the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Williams established Evan Williams Racing in 2003 and became one of Wales's most successful trainers, with top-four finishes in five consecutive Grand Nationals at Aintree between 2009 and 2013. He also trained Secret Reprieve, which won the 2020 Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.
