Evan Williams, a trainer known for his successes at the Cheltenham Festival, has been sentenced to three years in prison. The conviction stems from an incident where he assaulted a 72-year-old dog walker, Martin Dandridge, with a hockey stick on his property late at night. The assault resulted in grievous bodily harm with intent, including a fractured arm for Mr. Dandridge.
Williams, 54 years old, delivered repeated blows to Mr. Dandridge during the attack. The court heard that Mr. Dandridge had been walking his dog on what he believed was his usual route, near Williams' racehorse training centre, using a torch due to the darkness. Williams' family reportedly saw the light and mistook Mr. Dandridge's actions for 'lamping' – a practice involving bright lights to spot nocturnal animals, often with dogs.
Licensing and Business Implications
Following the conviction, Evan Williams is no longer a licensed trainer. The responsibility for the stable's operations and any runners, including those intended for the Cheltenham Festival, has been transferred to his wife, Cath Williams. Williams has been bailed pending his sentencing on April 14. His defense attorney had requested an adjournment for pre-sentence reports, emphasizing Williams' previously good character and the need to make arrangements for his racing business should he face incarceration.
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The court proceedings took place on Monday, March 9, 2026. The subsequent news reports detailing the transfer of the training license and the impending sentencing followed on March 10 and March 11, 2026.
