‘Out of control’ horse trainer ‘absolutely ashamed’ as he’s sentenced to 15 months in prison

AN ‘out of control’ horse trainer has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to assault and false imprisonment.

David Dunne, a 36-year-old father-of-three, pleaded guilty to the charges after the victim, who was 18 at the time, recorded the incident on their phone.

The court heard the attack included Dunne headbutting the teenage victim – a former stable hand – and kicking and punching them in a violent frenzy.

Police said the incident lasted four hours and left the victim with a cut lip, injuries to their head, nose and chest and bruising to the shin.

Dunne, the brother of jumps jockey Robbie who was found guilty of bullying Bryony Frost, initially denied hitting the man.

But he admitted the offences at his yard on May 15, 2021, after being shown a video recording of the whole thing.

It was alleged Dunne blamed the youngster for the disappearance of some medicine and money while it was also believed there was a row over a vehicle.

Defence barrister James O’Brien said the defendant had lost his temper and overreacted in a ‘very violent’ manner.

They said Dunne was deeply remorseful and ‘absolutely ashamed’ of his actions, report the Racing Post.

Mr O’Brien also said the defendant worked seven days a week and had recently run into financial difficulties.

Judge John Martin described the offence as a ‘premeditated and sustained assault’ by someone who was ‘out of control’.

A sentence of 15 months to commence on April 22 was handed out at Trim Circuit Court in County Meath, Ireland.

Dunne was banned for two years from training last year after being caught up in the Ronan McNally case which shocked racing.

McNally was whacked with a record 12-year ban last January for multiple charges including running and training horses in a manner ‘prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of horse racing’.

In May last year Dunne lost an appeal against the severity of his ban and €5,000 (£4,250) fine.

He was ordered to pay an additional €2,000 (£1,700) after being sanctioned under rules that protect racing from being brought into disrepute.

Dunne’s sentence comes a week after a former Gold Cup-winning owner’s wife and children cried in court as he was given two years behind bars for fraud.