Jockey Ashley Butler was celebrating one of many largest wins of his profession in a central Queensland nightclub when he was hit with a one-punch “gutless” unprovoked assault in Might final 12 months.
Key factors:
- Jeriah Wills, 23, has been sentenced to 3 years in jail, suspended after six months for the one-punch assault
- The court docket heard Ashley Butler was out celebrating after successful a race
- Mr Butler’s jaw was fractured in 5 locations with nerve and enamel harm
In the present day, Rockhampton man Jeriah Mishael Wills, 23, pleaded responsible to at least one depend of grievous bodily hurt within the District Court docket in Rockhampton and was sentenced to 3 years in jail.
He’ll serve six months behind bars, with the rest of his sentence suspended.
Mr Butler was on the Zodiac Nightclub within the early hours of Might 8, 2022, after successful the favored function slot race The Archer when Wills adopted him into the toilet and “with out warning” punched him within the head.
In his sentencing remarks, Decide Jeffrey Clark described the assault as “gutless”.
“You went again to your mates and re-enacted your gutless assault,” Decide Clark stated.
The court docket heard Wills informed different individuals on the nightclub Mr Butler had spat on him, however CCTV footage confirmed there had been no earlier interplay between the 2 males.
‘Heartbreaking’ influence on household
Decide Clark informed the court docket throughout sentencing that Mr Butler’s jaw was badly fractured in 5 locations, he skilled nerve harm, in addition to requiring a number of enamel to be eliminated.
He stated the jockey remains to be unable to chew on one facet of his mouth and his household skilled monetary hardship whereas Mr Butler was receiving medical therapy in Brisbane.
“He misplaced the chance to safe extra profitable rides after being profitable on that specific day,” Decide Clark stated.
“His personal daughter didn’t recognise his swollen and bruised face, which will need to have been heartbreaking for him.”
Mr Butler stated he nonetheless skilled social anxiousness going out in public after the assault.
“Once I do exit for dinner, or to a public rest room, it’s behind my thoughts nonetheless,” he stated.
“It should not occur.
“It might have ended up so much worse than what it really did, however they are saying ‘one hit can kill’ and fortunately it did not.”
Mr Butler stated the incident overshadowed the importance of his win as the one native rider within the inaugural race, and it put his household in monetary misery.
“My payments had again logged. No earlier than I might gotten my prize cash it was all gone,” he stated.
Incident ‘out of character’
Crown prosecutor Luke Smoothy learn out Mr Butler’s sufferer assertion which indicated he was additionally unable to eat strong meals for a 12 months.
“It is an instance of cowardly and gratuitous violence which is, sadly, all to widespread amongst drunk younger males,” he stated.
Defence counsel Sheridan Shaw stated her consumer had expressed regret and disgrace, and he or she apologised to Mr Butler and his household on Wills’ behalf within the courtroom.
Decide Clark accepted the incident was out of character for Wills however informed the court docket there was a necessity for neighborhood deterrence in sentencing.
“That you just had acted out within the context of extreme alcohol consumption on at the present time … can not afford you something by the use of mitigation in penalty,” he stated.
Wills was supported by his household in court docket whereas he was taken into custody.
Mr Butler has returned to racing in latest months.
