Trainer Evan Williams was found guilty on Monday of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The Welsh trainer, who has Cheltenham Festival runners this week, was charge at Cardiff Crown Court.
Williams was accused of the assault of a 72-year-old man in December 2024. Martin Dandridge suffered a fractured arm after the incident, as well as other injuries.
In a hearing lasting a little under two hours in Cardiff on Monday, the jury convicted Williams. The charge carries a potential penalty of jail time.
Williams’ barrister, David Elias KC, requested some weeks’ grace prior to sentencing to allow Williams time to prepare plans for his stable. The sentencing will take place on Tuesday 14 April, just three days after the Grand National.
Dandridge “feared for his life” court hears
The incident occurred on December 4 2024. Williams saw lights on his land, confusing Dandridge for a group of lampers. A lamper is another word for a poacher on farming land. Williams had a history with the sort, but the prosecution argued this was not an excuse for Williams’ behaviour.
“You were filled with rage due to the nature of the background you had with lampers,” prosecutor William Bebb said, as reported by the BBC.
“Whether a broken bone or a wound, you wanted to teach those lampers a lesson.”
Williams claims he found Dandridge in a ditch and was simply trying to help. However, the jury found differently, with sentencing taking place next month.
As reported by the BBC, Elias said: “He (Williams) has his business and he will need to consider how that will be looked after, bearing in mind the risk of him losing his liberty.
“Indeed, he has very pressing commitments in the racing world this week, which he would like to fulfil if that is possible.”
Williams has been the leading Welsh trainer in the National Hunt standings for the past 11 seasons. He will saddle Libberty Hunter, one of the outsiders in the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday.
A former Welsh Grand National winning trainer, he has upwards of 100 horses in his care, with a new trainer potentially required at the yard.