A 55-year-old trainer, Evan Williams, has been sentenced to three years in prison for a violent attack on a 72-year-old dog walker who was on his property. The assault, which occurred on December 4, 2024, involved Williams striking the victim, Martin Dandridge, multiple times with a hockey stick, resulting in serious injuries, including a fractured arm. Despite denying the charges, Williams was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent by a unanimous jury verdict after a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. The judge, Recorder Angharad Price, condemned Williams' actions as 'appalling' and emphasized that he had a choice to either confront the victim or wait for the police to arrive.
The incident was particularly noteworthy given Williams' background as a successful trainer with multiple Grade One wins, including at the Cheltenham Festival. The court also noted a prior incident where Williams had been threatened with a shotgun by poachers on his land, which may have contributed to his actions.
However, the judge made it clear that taking the law into one's own hands is never acceptable and that calling the police is always the better option.