Former Doncaster Phoenix rugby union player Andrew Ellis is jailed after he attacked his partner

Sheffield Crown Court heard on October 26 how Andrew Ellis, aged 40, of St Mary’s Road, Doncaster, repeatedly assaulted his partner between February 2017, and October 2019, by pushing his thumbs in her eyes, throwing a plate at her, kicking and headbutting her.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, The Recorder of Sheffield, said: “This case is a serious example of repeated violence visited by a man upon a woman.”

Austin Newman, prosecuting, said the defendant had been suffering with depression and debts and in February, 2017, he had placed his forearm on his partner’s throat and as she tried to fight him off he pushed his thumbs into her eyes.

Following an argument over money in March 2019, and concerns about the defendant going to the pub, he threw a plate with a knife and cheese on it at his partner.

Mr Newman said: “It’s clear the defendant lost control and picked up the plate and threw it at the complainant and it struck her elbow causing a cut and the plate shattered.”

The knife had just missed the complainant’s eye, according to Mr Newman, and she suffered a gash to her elbow.

Mr Newman added the complainant said there had been an incident between the couple in August 2019, and when he returned home he beat her up and kicked her.

During another incident, in October 2019 at Morley Rugby Club in Leeds, Ellis grabbed his partner by the wrist when she had wanted to leave and after she grabbed his face he headbutted her and threw beer at her, according to Mr Newman.

The complainant stated she had loved their relationship and he had never physically hurt her when he was sober.

She added: “The incident when he headbutted me scared me a great deal. Andrew had never attacked me outside the home and it was then I knew I was not safe anywhere.”

Ex-police officer Ellis, who was of previous good character, pleaded guilty to three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and admitted one count of unlawful wounding.

Michael Cane-Soothill, defending, said: “These events took place while he was in drink and it is not mitigation but it’s an explanation that even in the complainant’s eyes when he was sober he was a completely different person.”

Mr Cane-Soothill added: “He regrets his actions and is thoroughly ashamed in the cold light of day when he hears how he has behaved.

"One of the things his behaviour has caused is the final destruction of his relationship.”

Mr Cane-Soothill added Ellis has been receiving treatment for depression and he is seeking help for his alcohol issues.

Judge Richardson told Ellis: “Those who perpetrate this form of violence must expect and will receive punishment by way of imprisonment.”

Judge Richardson sentenced Ellis to two years of custody.

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