Champion horse trainer who repeatedly struck pensioner with hockey stick jailed

A champion horse trainer has been jailed for repeatedly striking an elderly dogwalker with a hockey stick. 

Richard Evan Rhys Williams, known as Evan Williams, 55, left Martin Dandridge, 72, with serious injuries, including a fractured arm.

He launched the attack after spotting the pensioner walking a dog on his land in Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, on 4 December 2024.

Williams denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent - telling jurors that the pensioner had hurt himself by falling over.

But he was convicted by a unanimous jury after 90 minutes of deliberations following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court in March.

Mr Dandridge had been walking his cockerpoo, Gulliver, nearby to the holiday cottage where he was staying with his wife.

He had placed torches on himself to make sure he was visible, the court heard.

Williams's family spotted the lights on their land and believed Mr Dandridge was lamping, where people use bright lights to find animals such a rabbits and foxes, often with a dog.

Six weeks before the attack, Williams had confronted trespassers who threatened to shoot him and burn down his farm.

David Elias KC, representing Williams, told the court that his client's reaction was "against the background of that terrifying previous incident".

Recorder Angharad Price accepted it "must have been very frightening", but said "it is never acceptable to take the law into your own hands".

During the trial, Williams insisted he did not injure Mr Dandridge and claimed he was hurt after being pulled over on rough terrain by his dog and falling into a drainage hole.

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Judge Price sentenced Williams to three years in prison.

She told Williams: "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."

In a victim personal statement read to the court on Tuesday, Mr Dandridge described the lasting impact of the assault.

He said he had previously been a "healthy individual" who enjoyed hobbies such as golf, DIY and metal detecting.

"Sadly, because of the assault and what has followed, I don't feel like the same person I was before," he said.

"There has not been a single day since the assault that I have not thought about it.

"What happened that day and its consequences have had a profound impact on my life."

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