Trainer Evan Williams Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Assaulting Dog Walker

Evan Williams, a 55-year-old trainer, has been jailed for a three-year term for physically assaulting a dog walker who had entered his property. The attack occurred on December 4, 2024, at Williams' land in Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan, south Wales, when he repeatedly struck 72-year-old Martin Dandridge with a hockey stick. As a result, Mr Dandridge suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured arm. Williams was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent by a unanimous jury verdict after a trial at Cardiff Crown Court in March. During the sentencing, Recorder Angharad Price condemned Williams' actions, stating that he had made a choice to confront the victim instead of waiting for the police to arrive. The judge highlighted an earlier incident where Williams had encountered poachers on his land and was threatened with a shotgun, but emphasized that taking the law into his own hands was never acceptable. Williams, a successful trainer with multiple Grade One wins, including at the Cheltenham Festival, has been sentenced to three years in prison. His wife, Cath, has taken over his training license following his conviction.