Evan Williams, one of Wales’ most decorated horse racing trainers, is in prison after being sentenced to three years for causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He was convicted following a violent nighttime attack on a 72-year-old dog walker he mistakenly believed to be a poacher on his land.

Who Is Evan Williams?

Evan Williams is a prominent Welsh horse racing trainer, based in Llancarfan in the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. He built one of the most respected yards in British racing over a career spanning more than two decades. Williams trained horses that competed across the National Hunt circuit and is best known for training winners at major jump racing festivals. He trained a string of Grand National runners between 2009 and 2013 and won the 2020 Welsh Grand National with The Secret Reprieve. His success made him a well-known figure not only in Wales but across the wider UK racing community.

What Happened – The Attack on Martin Dandridge

On a night in December 2024, Martin Dandridge, a 72-year-old man, was walking his dog on or near land belonging to Evan Williams in Llancarfan. Dandridge was carrying a torch as he walked, and Williams had previously experienced serious problems with illegal lamping and poaching on his land. He mistakenly identified Dandridge as a poacher and chose to confront him rather than contacting the police, who were reportedly already in the vicinity that night.

What followed was a brutal assault. Williams repeatedly struck Dandridge with a hockey stick, leaving the elderly man with serious injuries including a fractured arm. The attack was described in court as having no justification given that Dandridge was an innocent dog walker, and the victim required medical treatment for his injuries. The case also attracted attention due to a dog at the scene being found with suspected stab wounds, which was taken to a veterinary practice for emergency treatment.

The Trial and Conviction

Evan Williams stood trial at Cardiff Crown Court in March 2026. He denied the charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, arguing that he had acted out of fear given his history of dealing with poachers and receiving threats on his land. The prosecution presented evidence that police were in the area at the time of the incident, undermining the argument that Williams had no alternative but to act alone.

After just 90 minutes of deliberations, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of guilty. The speed of the verdict indicated that jurors found the circumstances of the attack to be clear-cut once the full evidence was presented. Williams was remanded to await sentencing, which took place the following month at the same court.

Sentencing: Three Years in Prison

On 14 April 2026, Recorder Angharad Price sentenced Evan Williams to three years in prison at Cardiff Crown Court. In delivering the sentence, she described the offence in serious terms, stating that it was an appalling attack that caused serious injuries to the victim. She noted that Williams had options available to him on the night of the incident and chose a violent path instead of contacting police.

The three-year custodial term means Williams serves his sentence in the prison estate in England and Wales. Under standard release provisions, he may be eligible for release at the halfway point of his sentence subject to licence conditions, potentially meaning release after 18 months if he meets the necessary criteria. If you are supporting someone through the prison system, our guides on how to book a prison visit and how to send money to a prisoner may be of assistance.

Career and Industry Reaction

The conviction brought significant consequences for Williams beyond the prison sentence itself. His licence to train racehorses was placed under immediate scrutiny, with the British Horseracing Authority — the governing body responsible for trainer licensing — expected to review his status in light of the conviction. For the horses in his yard and the stable staff who depended on his operation, alternative arrangements became necessary while his future in the sport remained uncertain.

The case provoked broader discussion about landowner rights and the legal limits of self-defence in property disputes. Legal commentators noted that while Williams had a genuine history of problems with poachers on his land, the law does not permit individuals to take violent action against people who have not been identified as committing a crime. The appropriate response in any suspected trespass situation is always to contact police rather than intervene physically. For those seeking to understand release procedures for sentenced prisoners, our guide to the Parole Board UK provides useful background information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Evan Williams in prison?

Evan Williams is in prison because he was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after attacking 72-year-old Martin Dandridge with a hockey stick in December 2024. Williams mistakenly believed Dandridge was a poacher on his land. He was sentenced to three years in prison at Cardiff Crown Court in April 2026.

How long is Evan Williams in prison for?

Evan Williams received a three-year custodial sentence. Under standard provisions in England and Wales, he may be eligible for release at the halfway point of his sentence subject to licence conditions, meaning he could potentially be released after 18 months if he meets all necessary requirements.

Who did Evan Williams assault?

Evan Williams assaulted Martin Dandridge, a 72-year-old dog walker, on or near his land in Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan, in December 2024. Dandridge suffered serious injuries including a fractured arm as a result of being repeatedly struck with a hockey stick. He had no involvement in any poaching activity and was simply walking his dog.

What crime was Evan Williams convicted of?

Evan Williams was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, which is a serious violent offence under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 in England and Wales. The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict after 90 minutes of deliberations following his trial at Cardiff Crown Court in March 2026.

Will Evan Williams lose his horse racing training licence?

Following his conviction and custodial sentence, Evan Williams faces the prospect of losing his licence to train racehorses. The British Horseracing Authority is the governing body responsible for licensing trainers in the UK and would be expected to review his status as a result of the criminal conviction and the three-year prison sentence he received.