Daniel Igbinedion (26), dragged Katy Lyles (35) out of a bar.
An abusive professional rugby player was jailed for three-years after he throttled and used a knife to attack his girlfriend.
Daniel Igbinedion, 26, dragged insurance broker Katy Lyles, 35, out of a club and tore off her SmartWatch so she couldn’t dial 999 before threatening her with a blade.
Six-foot-2inch and sixteen-stone forward the prop, was listed at Oldham Roughyeds. Dewsbury Rams. Featherstone Scouts. The woman met him when he began as a personal coach at Nuffield Gym in Shipley, West Yorkshire.
Bradford Crown Court heard that the Rugby League ace had been ‘possessive’ and ‘jealous’ during the first two years of their relationship.
Following a night in Leeds, jealous Igbinedion assaulted Ms Lyles at Bingley’s home. He ‘kept his prisoner’ and strangled Lyles with both of his hands around her neck.
Igbinedion pled guilty to controlling and coercive conduct and three assaults against the women between May 2018 – March 2020.
Andrew Hatton, Judge Andrew Hatton stated that Igbinedion had made a slanderous accusation of the woman and that it was evident that he believed himself to be “somewhat different” to everyone else.
According to the court, the woman had a strong sense of Igbinedion and they continued their relationship despite him showing her a very unpleasant side.
Judge Hatton jailed Igbinedion for three years and made him subject to a five-year restraining order which bans him from contacting the complainant directly or indirectly.
He was ‘possessive and jealous’ from the early stages of the two-year relationship, Bradford Crown Court heard
The court had heard how, after she dressed up for a Christmas party in Liverpool in December 2018, Igbinedion called Ms Lyles a ‘sl*g’ and she spent the rest of the night wearing a coat over her outfit.
“Others tried convincing her to get rid of her coat, but she didn’t want to because she wasn’t under your supervision.”
Igbinedion also carried her out from the bar and dragged her by her arm through the streets until an concerned doorman stopped him.
Igbinedion spent the night in prison for that incident. However, he was not charged and their relationship was restored.
Daniel Igbinedion (26) dragged Katy Lyles (26) out of a bar and tore off her SmartWatch, so she couldn’t dial 911 before using a knife threat to her.
Court heard that Igbinedion had also driven erratically, aggressively following his victim’s vehicle and threatened to kill himself.
Judge Hatton claimed that Igbinedion had drained her of all life and resistance and had made her feel like a prisoner.
She described in a victim impact statement how she suffered from anxiety, flashbacks and insomnia.
Ms Lyles, an insurance broker, previously stated to the court that he tried to kill her. He attempted to strangle my neck. Daniel pointed at me with a knife.
A court was informed that Igbinedion suffered from mental illness and had been separated at one point.
He wrote to Judge Hatton, stating that he has now completed an anger management program while being held in custody.
Igbinedion stated in his letter that he truly regretted the incident and Chloe Birch, his barrister said that he faced the end his professional sporting career.
Ms Birch explained that Mr Igbinedion is a talented and capable person.
Judging Igbinedion to be held for 3 years and 3 months Judge Hatton stated: “I must deal with you because of this continued conduct, including gross offenses of violence in the context of controlling and coercive behavior.
“This entire catalogue of offenses was so severe that only a sentence in prison can be justified.”
According to him, the woman gave her testimony with dignity at the trial and was able to present it in an ‘inspiring and compelling’ manner.