Hayne has first day in court over allegations of sexual assault
Embattled NRL star Jarryd Hayne has declared his innocence after fronting court for the first time since he was charged with sexual assault.
NSW
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Embattled NRL star Jarryd Hayne has declared his innocence after fronting court for the first time since he was accused of raping a 26-year-old woman.
Wearing a suit and tie, the 30-year-old arrived at Burwood Local Court accompanied by his mother and his manager Wayne Beavis.
Police allege the out-of-contract former Parramatta Eels player had sexual intercourse with the young woman without her consent and bit her genitals in the Hunter Valley on September 30.
Hayne was charged with aggravated sexual assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm after turning himself in to officers at Ryde police station in November.
On Monday Defence Barrister Richard Pontello told the court his client will be pleading not guilty at a future date.
“Mr Hayne maintains his innocence,” he said.
Hayne remained stony faced outside court as defence lawyer Leo Premutico issued a brief statement on his behalf.
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“He’d like at this time to thank those who have offered him support, in particular his parents, his mother and father,” Mr Premutico said.
Hayne and his supporters then made a quick getaway in a waiting 4WD, leaving behind Mr Beavis who gave chase in the middle of the street before eventually flagging the car down.
The former NSW Origin hero is listed on court documents as living at Broadbeach, Queensland.
Police will allege the athlete kept a cab driver outside the 26-year-old woman’s home with the meter running while he went into her bedroom after the pair met on a social media app.
Between 8pm and 10pm the two-time Dally M award winner allegedly then ripped off the victim’s clothes and bit her so hard she bled heavily and needed medical attention.
The woman’s mother was in the home at the time.
After the alleged assault, Hayne then took the cab back to Sydney.
It was reported he was seen drinking with another NRL player at a western Sydney bowling club at 3am.
Hayne has been reporting to police three days a week under strict bail conditions which required him to hand over his passport and a $20,000 surety.
He is required to live in Sydney’s Norwest and has also been banned from contacting the woman and from entering the Newcastle area.
His matter will next be heard at Newcastle Local Court on February 13 but the ex Gold Coast player will be excused if legally represented.
If Hayne does attend in person, his bail conditions banning him from Newcastle will be relaxed for that day.