DION AIYE FROM CUMBRIA SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT OUTSIDE WHITEHAVEN BAR
A former rugby league player from Whitehaven, Cumbria, has been placed on the Sex Offender Register following his conviction for sexually assaulting a woman outside a popular town centre bar.The incident occurred in the early hours of May 26, around 1am, when the victim was waiting outside the Shakers bar on Duke Street with a friend.
According to court reports, Dion Aiye, aged 37, approached the woman from behind and reached around her body.
He then proceeded to sexually assault her over her clothing.
The victim immediately responded by pushing him away and telling him to get off her.
Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson highlighted that Aiye was easily identifiable in the dimly lit street because he was wearing a distinctive pink cowboy’s hat.
Despite being rebuffed, Aiye remained standing nearby, which added to the distress of the victim.
Her friend observed that she appeared shaken by the incident.
When approached by bar staff and asked if she wished to pursue a complaint, she confirmed her desire to do so.
The police later charged Aiye, who subsequently pleaded guilty to a single count of sexual assault.
During the court hearing, Mr Rogerson read an impact statement from the victim.
She expressed that the assault had caused her significant anxiety.
She revealed her fears of encountering Aiye again, especially given his recognition in Whitehaven due to his rugby league career.
The town’s close-knit nature meant that everyone knew each other's business, which intensified her distress.
The woman explained that the incident outside the bar had negatively affected her concentration at work and had led her to withdraw from social activities, fearing a repeat of the assault.
The court was also informed that Aiye had a criminal record, with previous convictions for battery in 2021 and harassment in 2022.
The harassment charge did not involve the victim or any threats of violence.
In sentencing, the judge, Michael Fanning, ordered Aiye to serve a community order that includes unpaid work.
His legal representative, Marion Weir, acknowledged the seriousness of the offence but emphasized that Aiye had ceased his inappropriate behaviour as soon as he was asked to stop.
She described his actions as a reckless mistake made under the influence of alcohol, which he deeply regrets.
Ms Weir also pointed out that Aiye, who resides on Richmond Terrace in Whitehaven, had already faced consequences, including the end of his contract with the Whitehaven Rugby League Club.
She stressed that his rugby career was now in jeopardy and that he was aware of the need to change his behaviour.
Judge Fanning noted that Aiye’s criminal history was limited, primarily involving domestic-related offences, and that he had not previously been involved in serious trouble.
However, he expressed concern over the defendant’s conduct shortly after being sentenced for earlier offences.
The judge criticized Aiye for attending a nightclub and presuming he could behave inappropriately towards a young woman, which he described as a clear sense of entitlement.
He emphasized that no one has the right to assume such behaviour is acceptable, especially after being told to stop.
The judge highlighted the victim’s distress and nervousness about returning to nightclubs, attributing her reaction to Aiye’s sense of entitlement, whether due to his status as a sportsman or his intoxication at the time.
While acknowledging that the assault was at the lower end of the scale for sexual offences, Judge Fanning made it clear that the victim would not see it that way.
He imposed an 18-month community order, requiring Aiye to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work and five days of rehabilitation activities aimed at addressing the underlying reasons for his offending.
Additionally, Aiye will be registered as a sex offender for five years.
