Brandon Wilkie, a 21-year-old promising apprentice jockey, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court for causing grievous bodily harm to his flatmate and fellow apprentice jockey, Kyle McHugh. The attack occurred after McHugh goaded Wilkie about the number of winners he had ridden.
Details of the Assault
The court heard that the pair had been out drinking and were returning home when McHugh asked Wilkie, “When did you last ride a winner?” Wilkie told him to “just leave it” and asked, “Are you happy now?” Upon arriving at their shared flat in Exning, near Newmarket, Wilkie punched McHugh in the face, causing him to fall to the ground. Wilkie then continued to kick and punch him in the stomach and legs, according to prosecutor Adam Budworth.
Wilkie helped McHugh to his feet and apologized. When McHugh expressed confusion about the attack, Wilkie replied, “You need to have some manners.” Later, Wilkie sent a video of McHugh’s injuries to racing friends with a comment about “putting manners on him.”
Injuries and Sentence
McHugh was treated in hospital for a broken nose, fractured eye socket, a fracture to the left of his jaw bone, six chipped teeth, and a cut to his eyelid. He has since made a full recovery and is fit to ride again.
Wilkie admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm in August last year. Judge Samantha Leigh sentenced him to 14 months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to pay £500 compensation to McHugh. The judge noted it was unfortunate that Wilkie had filmed the injuries and sent the video.
Impact on Career
Wilkie’s solicitor, Andrew Thompson, stated that Wilkie had a “blossoming” career as a jockey, but his British and Irish licences were revoked after his arrest. Thompson added that Wilkie only sent the video to two apprentice jockeys and was shocked when he learned the extent of McHugh’s injuries.
