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

Evan Williams, a renowned horse trainer, has been sentenced to three years in prison for a violent assault on a dog walker who had entered his property. The incident, which occurred on December 4, 2024, left 72-year-old Martin Dandridge with serious injuries, including a fractured arm, after Williams repeatedly struck him with a hockey stick. Despite denying the charges, Williams was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent by a unanimous jury verdict following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. During sentencing, the judge 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 judge also referenced a prior incident where Williams had been threatened by poachers on his land, acknowledging the fear he must have felt but stressing that it was never acceptable to take the law into his own hands. Williams, a multiple Grade One-winning trainer, will now serve a three-year prison term, and his wife has taken over his training license.