At The Races: Trainer Evan Williams Guilty as Sentencing Looms

at the races, a Welsh Grand National-winning trainer has been found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after a night-time assault on a dog walker on land linked to his training operation.

What Happens At The Races?

Richard Evan Rhys Williams, known as Evan Williams, 54, was convicted by a jury after a single hour and 45 minutes of deliberation. The court found that Williams repeatedly struck 72-year-old Martin Dandridge with a hockey stick during an incident in Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan, in December 2024. Dandridge, who was staying at a holiday cottage near Williams’s racehorse training centre, suffered a broken arm and other injuries including a fractured arm. The victim had taken his cockerpoo, Gulliver, for a walk in a paddock that formed part of the stables and was using a torch because it was dark.

• Defendant: Richard Evan Rhys Williams (known as Evan Williams), age 54.
• Victim: Martin Dandridge, age 72, from Swindon; walking a cockerpoo named Gulliver.
• Charge and verdict: Causing grievous bodily harm with intent; jury reached a verdict in one hour 45 minutes.
• Location and timing: Altercation in December 2024 in Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan; paddock part of the stables.

Where This Goes Next?

Williams was bailed ahead of sentencing on 14 April at Cardiff Crown Court. Reports will be prepared for the court and his barrister acknowledged he was at risk of losing his liberty. The court heard that Williams confronted the dog walker after seeing lights moving on his land; there had been previous incidents on the property involving fly-grazing, hare coursing and poaching. Williams told the court he shouted at the man to put out his light because he was worried a flickering torch would upset his horses and that he had attempted to grab the man’s extendable lead to get control of the dog.

The trial record presents competing characterisations of the episode: material presented in court described Williams as having been “filled with rage” during the assault, while other evidence included the defendant’s account that he tried to help not hurt the man. The case has already been framed in court documents and headlines as exposing tensions between landowners and people found walking near or on equine properties.

Readers should note the narrow scope of the facts established at trial: a conviction for grievous bodily harm with intent, the identity and ages of the principal individuals involved, the injuries suffered by the victim, the setting of the incident, and the scheduled sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court on 14 April. Beyond those points, the court process will determine any custodial outcome and any ancillary reports referenced at sentencing.