Jeriah Mishael Wills jailed for king hit of star jockey Ashley Butler

A renowned Queensland jockey, who was attacked by a stranger who broke his jaw in five places, leaving him unrecognisable to his own daughter, has spoken out amid his attacker’s sentencing.

Star Qld jockey Ashley Butler’s jaw was broken in five places in a nightclub assault. The aftermath of the attack (left) and in happier times before the attack (right).

When Ashley Butler enters a public bathroom, he can’t help but be cautious now after a cowardly attack put him out of work and eating through a straw for weeks.

The star Queensland jockey, who was the victim of a coward’s punch attack in a Rockhampton nightclub, doesn’t recall the moments leading up to the surprise bathroom assault in 2022.

Mr Butler, 31, spoke candidly with The Morning Bulletin after his attacker, Jeriah Mishael Wills, was this week jailed for the assault, after pleading guilty to one count of grievous bodily harm.

On the day of the attack, Mr Butler had hours earlier won the richest race in regional Queensland, The Archer, and was out celebrating the win with other jockeys, trainers, and mates.

He ventured into the bathroom of the Zodiac Nightclub about 2.30am on May 8, 2022, after having been at the venue for only 10 minutes.

As he washed his hands, Wills - a stranger - assaulted him causing five fractures in his jaw which required six teeth to be removed, the Rockhampton District Court heard on Monday

The court head a drunken Wills had followed Mr Butler into the bathroom and even summoned a mate to watch as he stood over the fallen jockey.

Mr Butler said he did not recall much about being at that venue, but remembers being flown to Brisbane for treatment.

“I remember having dinner with the (horse Emerald Kingdom) owner’s,” he said.

“I remember going to the club where I got hit. I don’t remember how I got home.

“I don’t remember the ambulance coming to get me at home. I do remember going to Brisbane.”

Jockey Ashley Butler rides Emerald Kingdom to victory in the inaugural running of The Archer at Rockhampton's Callaghan Park on May 7, 2022. Caught in the Act Photography CQ.

Mr Butler underwent surgery and had surgical braces put in with his jaw and mouth “rubber-banded” shut for the first few weeks of healing, meaning he was only able to consume food and drink through straws.

“I lost a bit of weight,” he said.

Mr Butler said his doctor advised him not to ride horses for some time after the incident, warning if he got whacked in the mouth, he could end up being out of work twice as long.

He said he worked odd jobs where he could and his parents and the Jockey’s Trust helped out with bills until he went back to work 14-16 weeks later.

“I wasn’t one for taking money for no reason,” Mr Butler said.

He said while he had moved on with his life now, he was still processing the sentence imposed on Wills when he spoke with The Morning Bulletin.

Mr Butler did say that when he goes out these days and needs to use a public bathroom, he looks around a bit to ensure his safety.

Crown prosecutor Luke Smoothy said Wills later re-enacted the “cowardly, gratuitous” violent attack for his friends.

He said CCTV footage showed there had been no prior interaction between Wills and Mr Butler.

Mr Smoothy said Mr Butler’s racing win was short-lived as he was taken to Rockhampton Hospital after the assault and flown to Brisbane the following day due to the fractures and damage to his teeth and nerves.

Rockhampton jockey Ashley Butler is in hospital after being king hit in a nightclub following his win in The Archer. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Smoothy said the injuries were so bad Mr Butler’s three-year-old daughter did not recognise him.

Defence barrister Sheridan Shaw said her client, who has no criminal record, had been drinking excessively that evening.

She said Wills, who looked after his mother when she was diagnosed with breast cancer six/seven years ago, wanted to apologise to Mr Butler and his family.

Rockhampton jockey Ashley Butler is in hospital after being king hit in a nightclub following his win in The Archer. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Shaw said Wills, a Darumbal man, was employed as a cultural heritage ranger and cultural facilitator.

He was supported in court by many family members including aunts, sisters, cousins, mum and brothers.

Judge Jeff Clarke said he accepted this was out of character for Wills.

He sentenced Wills to three-years prison, suspended after serving six months, with an operational period of three years.