Dudley Chantler Williams faces Warwick Magistrates Court for assaulting dog walkers

The reason why a Warwick man jumped out of his car and confronted two dog walkers was revealed in court when the 44-year-old pleaded guilty to two charges of common assault.

Dudley Chantler Williams outside Warwick Magistrates Court

A prominent Warwick church member snapped and assaulted a pair of dog walkers after his brother’s dog escaped his yard, a court has been told.

Dudley Chantler Williams pleaded guilty to two charges of common assault after an altercation outside a Warwick home involving two men walking their dogs.

Warwick Magistrates Court on Wednesday was told the 44-year-old was “disgusted with himself” over the actions which took place on October 30, 2022.

Defence lawyer Clare Hine said the ex-drug addict had changed his ways, “getting married, being a member of a local church and doing lots of volunteer work”.

On October 30, Williams’ brother’s dog escaped his yard while two men were walking with their dogs.

Dudley Williams outside Warwick Magistrates Court on September 20, after pleading guilty to getting into a street stoush with two dog walkers

At this time, Williams was on the phone to his brother and heard him get into a verbal altercation with the pair of dog walkers.

Williams rushed to the scene, jumped out of his vehicle and “started swinging”.

Police were contacted by witnesses, who noticed the men having a roadside altercation and saw Williams “trying to punch the man, and continuously threatening and approaching the dog walkers”.

Ms Hine said Williams went directly to police after the altercation, showing remorse for the offending.

None of the punches thrown at the dog walkers connected.

Magistrate Virginia Sturgess told Williams his offending seemed like “victim blaming” and there was “no reason to chase these people down”.

Dudley Chantler Williams outside Warwick Magistrates Court on September 20.

The church member had a lengthy three-page criminal history, but hadn’t committed a crime since 2016.

“There was no reason for you to get involved at all. It had nothing to do with you,” Ms Sturgess said.

“People are right to be fearful if a dog comes running up out of a property, but you decided to follow this up and confront them and physically assault them.”

Ms Sturgess said the offending was “very foolish and a very bad mistake”.

“It was completely unjustified, if you wanted to protect the honour of your brother but no one did anything to you, there is absolutely no reason,” she said.

Williams was slapped with a $1200 fine, and convictions were recorded.