Racing Apr 18, 2026

Evan Williams: Trainer jailed for three years for causing grievous bodily harm with intent over hockey stick attack on 72-year-old

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Evan Williams: Trainer jailed for three years for causing grievous bodily harm with intent over hockey stick attack on 72-year-old

Trainer Evan Williams has been jailed for three years for attacking a dog walker who was on his land.

Williams, 55, repeatedly struck Martin Dandridge, 72, with a hockey stick during the assault.

Mr Dandridge, from Swindon, Wiltshire, suffered injuries including a fractured arm in the incident on Williams' land at Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan, south Wales, on the evening of December 4 2024.

The defendant denied a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but was convicted by a unanimous jury after 90 minutes of deliberations following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court in March.

On Tuesday, Recorder Angharad Price sentenced Williams to three years in prison.

She told Williams: "This is an appalling offence where you attacked Mr Dandridge causing him serious injuries.

"I know that you fully understand that he is still living with the impact of your actions on that day 16 months ago."

The judge told Williams that he had a "choice" on that day - to confront Mr Dandridge himself or wait for nearby police to attend.

"When you gave evidence at trial, you talked very passionately of your champion racehorses and their security, you talked of protecting them from harm," she said.

"You also talked about protecting your family from harm. However, that protection should not have came at Mr Dandridge's cost."

The judge described an incident that had taken place six weeks before the assault, in which Williams disturbed poachers on his land and was threatened with a shotgun.

"The earlier incident you experienced with threats of violence to you and your home must have been very frightening," the judge added.

"It is never acceptable to take the law into your own hands. This sentence will be a lesson to you that it is always better to call the police if you think a crime is being committed."

Williams is a multiple Grade One-winning trainer who has had success at the Cheltenham Festival.

Last month Ask Brewster, running in the name of his wife, Cath, who had taken over the licence upon Williams being found guilty, won the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

Tags:

racing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Hollie Doyle's exclusive blog: Sky Sports Racing ambassador previews All-Weather Finals Day at Newcastle

Hollie Doyle's exclusive blog: Sky Sports Racing ambassador previews All-Weather Finals Day at Newcastle

Speaking to Simon Mapletoft, Your Site Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle looks ahead to her chances on All-Weather Finals Day at Newcastle.The six handic...

Irish Grand National: Soldier In Milan dispatches rivals in Fairyhouse showpiece

Irish Grand National: Soldier In Milan dispatches rivals in Fairyhouse showpiece

Soldier In Milan belied his inexperience with a stunning victory in the Boyle Sports Irish Grand National at FairyhouseThe Emmet Mullins-trained seven...

2000 Guineas: Albert Einstein and Gstaad taken out of Newmarket Classic due to clerical error, O'Brien confirms

2000 Guineas: Albert Einstein and Gstaad taken out of Newmarket Classic due to clerical error, O'Brien confirms

Aidan O’Brien says a “computer error” led to Albert Einstein and Gstaad being mistakenly scratched from the Betfred 2000 Guineas.The much-vaunted Albe...

Grand National: I Am Maximus headlines field of declared runners for 2026 Aintree showpiece but Nick Rockett ruled out

Grand National: I Am Maximus headlines field of declared runners for 2026 Aintree showpiece but Nick Rockett ruled out

I Am Maximus heads the maximum field of 34 declared runners as he attempts to emulate Red Rum in Saturday’s Randox Grand National.No horse since Ginge...

Grand National: L'Homme Presse team 'completely devastated' as star is ruled out of Aintree feature

Grand National: L'Homme Presse team 'completely devastated' as star is ruled out of Aintree feature

Connections of L’Homme Presse have been left “completely devastated” after revealing their staying stalwart will miss the Randox Grand National.The 11...

Doncaster's William Hill Lincoln: Urban Lion edges out Rogue Diplomat in thriller to win for Jack Channon and Edward Greatrex

Doncaster's William Hill Lincoln: Urban Lion edges out Rogue Diplomat in thriller to win for Jack Channon and Edward Greatrex

Edward Greatrex secured his biggest win for 11 years and aided Jack Channon's big double on the opening day of the Flat turf season as Urban Lion prev...