A champion horse trainer has been sentenced to three years in prison for a brutal hockey stick attack on a dog walker who was on his land.
Richard Evan Rhys Williams, 55, widely known as Evan Williams, repeatedly struck 72-year-old Martin Dandridge during the assault.
Mr Dandridge, from Swindon, Wiltshire, sustained severe injuries, including a fractured arm, during the incident which occurred on Williams’ property in Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan, south Wales, on December 4, 2024.
Williams had denied a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but was unanimously convicted by a jury at Cardiff Crown Court in March after 90 minutes of deliberation. On Tuesday, Recorder Angharad Price handed down the three-year custodial sentence.
Addressing Williams, Recorder Price stated: “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 highlighted that Williams had a “choice” that day – either to confront Mr Dandridge himself or to await the arrival of nearby police. She acknowledged Williams’ passionate testimony during the trial regarding the security of his champion racehorses and his family.
“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.”
Recorder Price also referenced an incident six weeks prior to the assault, where Williams had disturbed poachers on his land and was threatened with a shotgun.
While acknowledging this, she firmly stated: “The earlier incident you experienced with threats of violence to you and your home must have been very frightening. 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.”
