Jarryd Hayne jailed for 2018 sexual assault
Ugly scenes broke out as Jarryd Hayne’s victim was escorted out of court by police, with the young woman being spat at after he was jailed to at least three years and eight months over her sexual assault.
Judge Helen Syme said it was clear the woman had been resisting Hayne during the sexual assault at her home on Grand Final night in 2018 as she handed down her sentence at Newcastle District Court today.
“I do not accept he was not aware that she was attempting to push him away and trying to physically resist him… it was very clear she said no several times,” Judge Syme said.
“I have found the offender was fully aware that the victim was not consenting and went ahead anyway. His decision to do so increases the objective seriousness,” she said.
The woman was surrounded as she left court, with one Hayne supporter staring her down and spitting on her as others pleaded to let her by.
The maximum time served will be five years and nine months.
Earlier, as the former NRL player was swarmed by supporters. Family and friends shielded them with umbrellas.
Earlier, as the former NRL player was swarmed by supporters. Family and friends shielded them with umbrellas.
Inside court, his victim bravely spoke about the devastating impact the crime has had on her life.
“I have spent countless hours crying, the feeling of violation and feeling dirty doesn’t go away. I have nightmares and flashbacks of his face looking right through me,” the now 28-year-old said.
“Sometimes I can’t get out of bed.”
The woman, who can’t be named, described feelings of anger, frustration, and wanting to die.
“What I experienced was horrible, nobody should ever have to feel that way. I am destroyed and damaged but I am still standing,” she told the court.
“I am destroyed and damaged but I am still standing.”
“Your body remembers and your mind doesn’t forget. I survived this and I have protected a tiny spark of my life.”
Hayne was found guilty in March of two counts of sexual intercourse without consent after meeting up with the woman on league grand final night in September 2018.
He kept a taxi waiting while he went inside the woman’s home and assaulted her, before travelling back to Sydney.
Hayne maintained the sex was consensual and has already flagged an appeal.
The 33-year-old was a superstar in the NRL, playing for Parramatta Eels and briefly for the Gold Coast Titans.
He then made a failed attempt to switch to professional American football, then very briefly in rugby union sevens.
Hayne told the court this morning that he was due to sign a contract with St George Illawarra Dragons on the day he was charged with sexual assault.
“Because the media were involved, the frenzy that it went in with the charges, I didn’t hear from them after that,” he said.
His former Parramatta teammate Tim Mannah addressed the court to give a reference for his best friend.
Mannah said he noticed a change in Hayne’s behaviour after he attended a Bible college in Perth.
He said you can’t have a five-minute conversation with Hayne “without him talking about something from the Bible”.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
