Grand National horse trainer jailed for beating man with hockey stick

Grand National trainer jailed for beating man with hockey stick17 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleMatt MurrayBBC Wales, at Cardiff Crown CourtAthena Picture AgencyEvan Williams was sentenced to three yearsA Grand National trainer has been sentenced to three years in prison for beating a man who was walking a dog on his land with a hockey stick.Richard Evan Rhys Williams, known as Evan Williams, 54, repeatedly struck Martin Dandridge during the night-time assault in Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan.Williams broke Dandridge's arm during the attack in December 2024.Recorder Angharad Price called it "an appalling offence".In March, a jury at Cardiff Crown Court took one hour 45 minutes to find Williams guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.On the night of the assault, Dandrige, 72, from Swindon, was staying at a holiday cottage near to Williams's racehorse training centre.He took his cockerpoo, Gulliver, for a walk in a paddock that was part of the stables, and because it was dark he used a torch.Williams's property has had past incidents of fly-grazing - where animals are left on land without permission - as well as hare coursing and poaching.The court heard Williams's family spotted the lights on their land and believed Dandridge was lamping, which is when people use bright lights to find animals such as rabbits and foxes, often with a dog.The cottage where Dandridge was stayingThe court previously heard Williams passed two police officers as he drove to the paddock, telling them: "There's lampers on my gallops, they are there now."When Williams arrived, the lights began moving towards him and he became aware there was a person and a dog.Approaching the man, Williams shouted at him to put out his light as he was worried it would upset his horses.At the time of the offence, Williams was in charge of 120 horses over two locations.PA MediaAt the time of the alleged offence, Williams was in charge of 120...