Ballarat attacker jailed for hatchet assault on random man
Dale Buhler, 32, sentenced to four years six months for swinging a hatchet at a stranger on Yarrowee Street.
Buhler attacked a man walking alone in Ballarat on September 24, 2025. Buhler demanded the victim's glasses from his car, then got out and punched the man in the left eye.
When the victim refused to hand over his glasses, Buhler fetched a hatchet from the ute and swung it at him. The victim leaned back to avoid the blade.
Buhler then tried to grab the victim's backpack, punched him twice more in the head and kicked him twice while he was on the ground. The victim was taken to Ballarat Base Hospital with a fractured eye socket and ongoing trauma.
Judge Sarah Dawes called it a terrifying and serious violent attack on a vulnerable person. Buhler will be eligible for parole in January 2029.
- Four years six months
- Sentence length
- September 24, 2025
- Attack date
- January 2029
- Parole eligible
Why it mattersRandom street violence leaves victims with lasting physical and psychological harm even after the offender is jailed.
AustraliaVictorians relying on safe public streets face risk from unprovoked attacks; this sentence sends a message about violent crime.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
