A former professional rugby player attacked his wife of three decades, fracturing three of her ribs and puncturing her lung.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how Jacqueline Bond spent 11 days in hospital after being left in “agony” by husband Paul.

Bond, 52, was sentenced yesterday ( WED) after admitting a grievous bodily harm charge.

Amanda Johnson, prosecuting, said the incident occurred after the Bond, a former Workington Town and Seaton player, returned home after a night out on February 15.

She sat on a sofa with Bond, but the prosecutor explained: “He reacted with anger. He picked her up and threw her at the sofa. She struck the back of it and fell to the floor immediately in significant pain.

“The defendant was immediately remorseful. He apologised, picked her up, sat her on his knee on the sofa and was telling her that he loved her.”

Only when a relative arrived was Mrs Bond able to leave. “At hospital, police attended and she said ‘this needs sorting or next time I will be dead,” Ms Johnson said.

The couple had been married for nearly 34 years, the court heard. Mrs Bond was in “mental torture” and “worried about the future” having met Bond when she was aged 14.

Marion Weir, defending, described Bond as a former “professional rugby league player and fitness instructor”.

“Perhaps it is a case of him not realising his own strength,” said Miss Weir, who referred to matrimonial difficulties. “He is remorseful for these injuries. The relationship is well and truly over.”

Miss Weir added: “He is deeply distressed by what has happened, and certainly can’t appreciate how, on that date, the injuries that had been caused have been caused. It was never his intention to do so.”

“Excellent” references had been provided on behalf of Bond, who had written a “reasoned, contrite letter” to the court.

Bond, who had been in custody, received an 18-month prison sentence which was suspended for two years by Judge Peter Davies.

He must attend a “building better relationships” course, complete 250 hours’ unpaid work with a rehabilitation requirement. He must pay Mrs Bond £4,000 compensation and was prohibited from contacting her for 10 years.

Judge Davies told Bond, of Washington Street, Workington: “This is a lady, the mother of your children, somebody who has been your wife, your partner for over three decades.

She deserves respect, no matter what the difficulties between the two of you. She did not deserve violence.”