Evan Williams, a 55-year-old horse trainer, has been sentenced to three years in prison for assaulting a 72-year-old dog walker, Martin Dandridge, who was on his land in Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan, south Wales. The incident occurred on December 4, 2024, and resulted in Mr Dandridge suffering a fractured arm and other injuries after being repeatedly struck with a hockey stick. Williams denied the charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent but was found guilty by a unanimous jury after a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. During sentencing, Recorder Angharad Price described the offense as 'appalling' and stated that Williams had a choice to either confront Mr Dandridge himself or wait for the police to arrive.
The judge also referenced an earlier incident where Williams had encountered poachers on his land and was threatened with a shotgun, but emphasized that it is never acceptable to take the law into one's own hands. Williams, a successful trainer with multiple Grade One wins, including at the Cheltenham Festival, will now serve a three-year prison sentence.