A prominent racehorse trainer has been jailed after attacking a pensioner he believed to be a poacher on his land in South Wales.
Evan Williams, 55, was sentenced to three years in prison after assaulting 72-year-old dog walker Martin Dandridge in the village of Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan. The incident took place on 4 December 2024, when Mr Dandridge was walking his dog near a holiday cottage.
Cardiff Crown Court heard that Williams confronted Mr Dandridge on a track close to his property, mistakenly believing he was involved in illegal activity. During the encounter, Williams armed himself with a hockey stick and repeatedly struck the pensioner.
The attack resulted in serious injuries. Mr Dandridge suffered a fractured arm and required hospital treatment following the incident. The court was told that the physical harm was accompanied by ongoing psychological effects, with the victim continuing to experience anxiety and trauma.
Prosecutors described the assault as sustained and severe, with the attack only coming to an end after another individual intervened. The court heard that Mr Dandridge posed no threat and had simply been walking in the area at the time.
The incident drew particular attention due to Williams’ standing within the racing industry, where he had built a long-established career training horses at a high level in Britain.
Conviction At Cardiff Crown Court
Williams denied a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, maintaining during the trial that the injuries sustained by Mr Dandridge were the result of a fall rather than deliberate blows.
However, following a trial in March 2026 at Cardiff Crown Court, a jury found him guilty of the offence.
He returned to court for sentencing on 14 April 2026, where Recorder Angharad Price outlined the seriousness of the case. Addressing the defendant, she said: “This is an appalling offence where you attacked Mr Dandridge causing him serious injuries.”
The judge rejected the suggestion that the injuries were accidental and made clear that the level of violence used was unjustified. She also highlighted that Williams had taken matters into his own hands rather than seeking assistance from authorities.
During sentencing, Recorder Price told the court: “It is never acceptable to take the law into your own hands.”
Williams was handed a custodial sentence of three years. Under standard sentencing guidelines, he is expected to serve half of that term in custody before being released on licence.
The court heard that the incident had a significant and lasting impact on the victim, both physically and emotionally, which was taken into account in determining the length of the sentence.
Previous Threats And Business Concerns
During the trial, the court was told that Williams had previously experienced problems with poachers on his land and had been subjected to threats in the past. This context was presented as part of the explanation for his actions on the night of the incident.
Despite this, the judge noted that police were in the vicinity at the time and that Williams had the option to contact them rather than confronting Mr Dandridge directly.
Williams has been a well-known figure in British horse racing for many years, training more than 1,000 winners over the course of his career. Among his most notable successes was training Secret Reprieve to victory in the Welsh Grand National, a significant achievement in the sport.
His conviction and imprisonment have raised immediate questions about the future of his racing operation. The court heard that the business relied heavily on his day-to-day involvement, with concerns expressed about its viability in his absence.
Trainer Evan Williams jailed for three years after assaulting dog walker with hockey stick
‘It is never acceptable to take law into own hands’— Jane Fleming (@fleming77) April 14, 2026
Representing Williams, his barrister outlined the potential consequences of a custodial sentence for the stable and those employed within it. He told the court: “If he isn’t there, there is no business.”
In the wake of the conviction, responsibility for the training licence has been transferred within the family, allowing the operation to continue in some capacity. However, uncertainty remains over its long-term future.
The case has also drawn wider attention within the racing industry, given Williams’ profile and the seriousness of the offence. While the court acknowledged the background circumstances involving previous threats, it ultimately concluded that they did not justify the level of violence used.
Williams’ sentencing brings the case to a close, with the court making clear that individuals are expected to rely on lawful authorities rather than resorting to personal action, regardless of the situation.
