Ex-Redcliffe Dolphins league player Harley James Junior Aiono on armed robbery, NDIS fraud, fuel theft charges

A former Redcliffe Dolphins player accused of robbing a vape store while threatening he was armed, robbing a pizza delivery driver and ripping off the NDIS, has been granted bail after spending nearly four months behind bars on remand.

Former Redcliffe Dolphins player Harley Aiono is accused of ripping off the NDIS, among other charges. Pic: Josh Woning.

A former Redcliffe Dolphins player accused of robbing a vape store while threatening he was armed, robbing a pizza delivery driver and ripping off the NDIS, has been granted bail after spending nearly four months behind bars on remand.

Harley James Junior Aiono appeared via video-link from prison in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Wednesday before Justice Soraya Ryan where he asked the court to set him free.

Aiono, a married father of three, is accused of robbing a woman working in a tobacconist and vape store as well as robbing a pizza delivery driver, the court heard.

He is also accused of withdrawing cash for himself from the bank account of an NDIS recipient he was caring for, and defrauding the NDIS.

He is also charged with stealing fuel in a drive-off from a petrol station, and possession of an ice pipe.

He was allegedly pretending to be armed during the armed robbery.

Aiono was a front and second rower playing for the Dolphins in the Intrust Super Cup in the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

The married father of three has been in custody on remand since October 14.

Former Redcliffe Dolphins player Harley Aiono of Burpengary. Pic: Josh Woning.

He has prior convictions for fraud and tainted property offences, the court heard

Nikita Aganoff, for the Crown, submitted that Aiono was facing ten charges and did not object to bail provided he had strict conditions including abiding by a curfew between 7pm and 5am and no drug use.

Justice Ryan agreed to order he be released on bail so he can attend drug counselling at Lives Lived Well in Redcliffe, in the City of Moreton Bay, north of Brisbane.

The 32-year-old, who was representing himself, told the court he had a problem with drugs and did not have a job he could go to while on bail, but planned to get one.

“It has been more the drugs that have ruined my life in the last few years,” Aiono told Justice Ryan when asked if he had a problem with alcohol.

He told the court in a letter that he has not used drugs while in prison.

He must see his doctor to get a mental health care plan to see a psychologist.

Justice Ryan noted that Aiono told police that before his arrest he was homeless, and he would live with his parents in Kippa-Ring, in the City of Moreton Bay, while on bail.

He must not contact the victims of his alleged crimes while on bail, must remain drug-free and submit to testing and must not possess a weapon.