Welsh Grand National-winning trainer Evan Williams has been found guilty of assaulting a man who was walking a dog on his land.
Richard Evan Rhys Williams, known as Evan Williams, 54, repeatedly struck Martin Dandridge with a hockey stick during the night-time assault in Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan.
The Assault and Resulting Injuries
Williams broke Dandridge’s arm during the incident which took place in December 2024. The jury at Cardiff Crown Court took one hour 45 minutes to find Williams guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Dandridge, 72, from Swindon, suffered injuries including a fractured arm during the incident.
The Defence and Prosecution Arguments
The court heard Dandridge was staying at a holiday cottage near Williams’s racehorse training centre.
He took his cockerpoo Gulliver for a walk in a paddock that was part of the stables, and was using a torch because it was dark.
Williams’s family spotted the lights and believed Dandridge was “lamping”, when people use bright lights to find animals. Williams told the jury he shouted at the man to put out his light as he was worried it would upset his horses.
Williams maintained Dandridge was hurt after being pulled over on the rough terrain by his out-of-control dog and had fallen into a drainage hole.
William Bebb, prosecuting, suggested Williams’s account was “nonsense”.
“You were filled with rage due to the nature of the background you had with lampers,” he said.
Williams’s Background and Career
Williams had taken over the family dairy farm as an 18-year-old before moving into racehorse training in 1996. He established Evan Williams Racing in 2003 and trained Secret Reprieve, which won the rearranged 2020 Welsh Grand National at Chepstow. By the time of the alleged offence, he was in charge of 120 horses over two locations.
Sentencing Awaits
Williams was bailed ahead of sentencing on 14 April at Cardiff Crown Court. Reports will be prepared and his barrister acknowledged he was at risk of losing his liberty.
David Elias KC, defending, asked for the sentencing hearing to be adjourned for reports and to give Williams.