FORMER British rugby league player Ricky Bibey was found dead in Italy after allegedly beating up his girlfriend while high.
The 40-year-old athlete was found dead in the £350-a-night Hotel Continentale on July 16, 2022.
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Ricky Bibey was found dead in Italy after allegedly beating up his girlfriend while high Credit: Rex
His on-and-off again partner estate agent Jennie Platt has told an inquest she ‘fought back’ during a violent struggle with the athlete Credit: Facebook
He had arrived in Tuscany with a woman – later revealed to be his partner – from Manchester a day earlier.
Italian publication Il Gazzettino reported that the couple arrived at the hotel on Friday, July 15, before heading out in the evening, returning to the swish four-star hotel in “high spirits” at around 2am.
Hotel staff were alerted by shouting and screaming in the room just before 8am local time, according to Corriere Della Sera.
Ricky’s body was discovered on the hotel room floor.
His on-and-off again partner estate agent Jennie Platt has told an inquest she “fought back” during a violent struggle with the athlete.
She passed out after he came at her with “glazed eyes” looking “like a demon”, the inquest heard.
Jennie said she saw him taking cocaine in the bathroom and had confronted him.
She suffered from external wounds including to her neck, and was rushed to Florence’s Careggi hospital where she underwent surgery for a haemorrhage.
Domestic abuse – how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone – including men – and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
Both cops and the coroner concluded her injuries were “not compatible with her being responsible for any act of violence”.
A post-mortem ruled the rugby player died of a “neck compression”, which evidence showed he inflicted on himself.
But the inquest hasn’t established whether he intended to take his own life.
He had struggled with mental health problems and drug addiction after his retirement from the sport.
Ricky, who was born in Leigh near Wigan, Greater Manchester, made his professional rugby league debut in 2001 for Wigan Warriors, also making appearances for Leigh Centurions, St Helens and Wakefield Trinity.
He won the Challenge Cup twice and also played on three occasions for England in international competitions, before being forced to retire early in May 2012 due to an achilles tendon injury.
How to get help
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicideIt doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.ukHUMEN www.wearehumen.orgMind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
The prop Ricky, who lived in an £800,000 home in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, had been running a window cleaning business and property venture since retiring.
Hotel Continentale is just 30 yards from the famous Ponte Vecchio close to the heart of the historic Renaissance city.
Travel guides describe the plush riverside hostelry as “playfully chic” boasting its own rooftop bar and spa aimed at “honeymooners and those looking for a romantic weekend”.
Leigh Centurions paid tribute to the player on X, saying the “popular” player had died “while on holiday in Italy”.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
