Evan Williams, a trainer who previously won the Welsh Grand National, has been sentenced to three years in prison after assaulting a dog walker on his property. The 55-year-old was found guilty of attacking 72-year-old Martin Dandridge with a hockey stick, resulting in serious injuries, including a broken arm, during the incident which occurred in December 2024 at his location in Llancarfan, South Wales.
Despite Williams denying the charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, a jury reached a unanimous verdict after just 90 minutes of deliberation during his trial at Cardiff Crown Court in March. The conviction raises concerns about the future of his training operation, as his attorney, David Elias KC, informed the court that Williams’s absence would effectively mean the end of the business.
During the sentencing, Recorder Angharad Price condemned Williams’s actions, noting the severity of the offence and the lasting impact on Dandridge, who continues to deal with the consequences of the assault. The judge remarked, “You had a choice that day—either to confront Mr. Dandridge or to wait for law enforcement to arrive.” She pointed out that while Williams expressed concern for the safety of his racehorses and family, such protective instincts should not come at the expense of another individual’s safety.
The court also heard about a prior incident from six weeks earlier, where Williams was confronted by poachers and threatened with a shotgun. The judge acknowledged the fear that such a situation could provoke, but emphasized that taking the law into one’s own hands is never justified. She concluded her remarks by stating that this sentence serves as a reminder that calling the authorities is always the appropriate response in cases of suspected criminal activity.
Williams, who has achieved multiple Grade One victories and notable success at the Cheltenham Festival, saw his wife Cath take over the training license after his conviction. Recently, her horse Ask Brewster triumphed in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the festival. Having founded Evan Williams Racing in 2003, he has become one of the leading trainers in Wales, boasting top-four finishes in five consecutive Grand Nationals at Aintree from 2009 to 2013, and he trained Secret Reprieve, the winner of the 2020 Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.
