Trainer Denies Assault Allegations
A Welsh Grand National-winning trainer, Richard Evan Rhys Williams, known as Evan Williams, 54, has denied attacking a man with a hockey stick. Instead, he told Cardiff Crown Court that he was attempting to assist the man from a ditch.
Williams faces charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and an alternative charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm, relating to an incident on 4 December 2024 in Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan. The alleged victim, Martin Dandridge, 72, from Swindon, reportedly sustained injuries including a fractured left forearm after being struck with a hockey stick.
South Wales Police Inspector Gareth Childs testified that he witnessed Williams using an object to hit Dandridge after responding to the scene. However, a search of Williams's home did not uncover a hockey stick.
Williams denied striking Dandridge with a rope used for leading horses and also denied owning a hockey stick.
Incident Details and Initial Response
Dandridge, who was wearing a light, was walking his cockerpoo, Gulliver, in a paddock adjacent to the stables at approximately 21:30 GMT.
Williams told the court he received a phone call from his daughter Isabelle, who had noticed moving lights on the family’s land around 21:00. Having been at Ludlow Racecourse earlier that day, Williams changed clothes and, accompanied by his daughter’s partner, jockey Conor Ring, drove towards the lights in his truck.
Williams had passed two police officers en route to the paddock and informed them,
"there's lampers on my gallop, they are there now". Lamping refers to the use of lights to locate animals such as rabbits and foxes, often accompanied by dogs.
Williams explained to the court that local issues included fly-grazing—where animals are left on land without permission—as well as hare coursing and poaching.
Police Arrival and Witness Accounts
Inspector Gareth Childs and PC Stuart Elson of South Wales Police turned their vehicle around and proceeded to the paddock where Williams had parked.
PC Elson told the jury he observed Williams holding an object resembling a hockey stick.
According to court testimony, when Williams arrived, the lights began moving toward him, and he became aware of a man and a dog.
Williams said he shouted at the man to extinguish his light, concerned it might disturb his horses.
"The light would have been flickering in the stables and that can trigger horses,"Williams stated.
He intended to control the dog and attempted to grab the man’s extendable lead. The court heard the dog was pulling the man, who then fell into a drainage ditch.
David Elias KC, defending Williams, asked what occurred after the fall. Williams replied,
"He was squealing and making a lot of fuss. I tried helping him out of the ditch and he was grabbing me and trying to use me as a ladder to get out of the ditch."
Williams said police arrived and restrained Dandridge on the ground.
Elias questioned Williams about whether he had struck Dandridge with his rope or owned a hockey stick. Williams responded,
"Safety is paramount to me, and he was on my land and he was hurt, so I wanted to get him to safety."
Williams admitted to swearing during the incident, explaining,
"My language was terrible. The man was obviously hurt and it was just the situation that was so stupid, no need of."
The court heard that Williams and the police took Dandridge to the holiday cottage he was renting, with Williams apologising as he had injured himself on his land.
Elias asked whether Williams intended to harm anyone that night.
Background of Evan Williams
Williams told the court he took over the family dairy farm at age 18 before transitioning to racehorse training in 1996. He established Evan Williams Racing in 2003 and notably trained Secret Reprieve, winner of the rearranged 2020 Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.
At the time of the alleged offence, Williams managed 120 horses across two locations.
