A RUGBY league player who assaulted his ex-partner was branded an ‘entitled bully’ by a judge and slammed for his treatment of women.

Dion Aiye, 35, who plays for Whitehaven Rugby League, kicked his former girlfriend in the stomach and held her by the throat, leaving her in fear for her life.

Aiye had admitted assault by beating and harassment at a hearing last month and was sentenced for the offences at Preston Crown Court on Thursday.

Outlining the case, prosecutor Richard Flook said Aiye began a relationship with the woman in 2020 and they had moved in together during the pandemic.

The relationship ‘started well’ but then progressed to arguments.

On February 28, 2021, the pair had gone to the victim’s mother’s address for her birthday and then returned to their home in Barrow.

Aiye had been lying on the floor and was on his phone but was hiding it so the victim couldn’t see what he was doing. Aiye said he was texting other girls.

The victim tried to grab the phone from Aiye, who pushed her, causing her to fall over and hit her arm. As she stood up, he kicked her to the stomach and was laughing at her as this happened.

She told Aiye to get out. He then grabbed her by the throat. She was able to call 999 and Aiye was still laughing, telling her, ‘at least I will be able to get a lift home when police arrive’.

The woman was left with bruises and was winded.

Another incident during a trip to Chester was outlined to the court. Aiye had called the victim a derogatory term multiple times and she had gone back to the hotel.

He also returned to the hotel 15 minutes later and began packing his bag. She tried to stop him leaving and the defendant pushed her over, into a doorframe. He then punched the doorframe above her head.

The court heard the couple had gone away to London to watch a rugby game. While there, Aiye told her to smile and called her a ‘miserable, old ****’.

She had then left. Aiye had said to her, ‘just you wait’. When she asked what he meant, Aiye replied, “I will f*****g leather you when I get back’.

Mr Flook said Aiye had criticised how the woman looked after her daughter. He also sent messages to her, telling her to kill herself and called her offensive names.

During police interview, Aiye denied assault and said the relationship was ‘toxic’. He said they would often drink together and he was not a violent man.

He said she had lied to ‘ruin his life and career’.

The victim read an emotive personal statement to the court, which said she believed her life was at risk when Aiye kicked her in the stomach.

She said: “I will never forget the hatred in his eyes.

“I wish I had been strong enough to get out the relationship then. I was always walking on eggshells. I was always trying to please Dion.

“He would sleep with other girls if he didn’t get what he wanted.

“I have spent my days looking over my shoulder since going to police.

“The day he started shouting at my daughter, I knew I had to end this relationship. I feel guilty I put my daughter in this position. I feel like I let her down.

“This man should not be allowed to continue impacting my life. I want justice and closure for my daughter and myself.”

Anthony Parkinson, defending, said: “The offending is almost two years ago. He has been on bail throughout the course of the investigations and court proceedings. There has been no breach of that.”

Mr Parkinson said a curfew would interfere with matches and training as part of his employment as a professional rugby player.

Passing sentence, Judge Guy Mathieson said Aiye was an ‘entitled bully’ who thinks women are there to ‘do his bidding’.

He said: “If they don’t come up to the standards you set, there are consequences. This is about you getting what you want.”

Judge Mathieson said he hoped the proceedings had been a wake-up call for Aiye that he ‘can’t treat another human being in this way’.

Aiye, of Richmond Terrace, Whitehaven, was given an 18-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 240 hours of unpaid work.

A five-year restraining order was imposed which bans Aiye from contacting the victim or her daughter by any means or going to an address where they are present.