Trainer Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Assaulting Dog Walker

Evan Williams, a 55-year-old trainer, has been sentenced to three years in prison for a violent assault on a 72-year-old dog walker, Martin Dandridge, who was walking on Williams' land in south Wales. The incident, which occurred on December 4, 2024, left Mr 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 after a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. During sentencing, the judge condemned Williams' actions, stating that he had made a choice to confront Mr Dandridge instead of waiting for the police to arrive. The judge also referenced a previous incident where Williams had been threatened by poachers on his land, but emphasized that this did not justify taking the law into his own hands. Williams, a successful trainer with multiple Grade One wins, will now serve a three-year prison sentence.