Two-time Dally M medal winner Jarryd Hayne calls on top lawyer over sexual abuse allegations
Jarryd Hayne’s dream has turned into a nightmare, with the two-time Dally M medal winner forced to call on legal heavy hitters as he prepares to fight sexual assault claims.
THE dream has turned into a nightmare.
Jarryd Hayne is receiving legal advice from Salim Mehajer’s former lawyer Ramy Qutami in the wake of fresh and unsubstantiated claims of sexual assault against the NRL star.
Qutami had already been engaged to handle Hayne’s defence of a civil lawsuit regarding a sexual assault allegation while playing NFL in the US.
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Hayne has strongly denied the US allegations and is vigorously defending the proceedings.
Hayne is being investigated by the NSW Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad over an alleged incident in the Hunter Valley on the night of the NRL grand final.
The woman claimed she and Hayne were having consensual sex but she “withdrew her consent”.
The former Dally M Medal winner has not been charged and is yet to be interviewed by police.
The latest round of damaging claims have led to major concern for Hayne’s welfare.
Over the past 48 hours welfare officers from his former club the Parramatta Eels have maintained contact with the 30-year-old.
Hayne is said to be “rattled, but okay.’’
The shock allegations could not have come at a worse time for his once glittering NRL career, with the Eels and St George Illawarra now cold on signing the fullback.
An overseas lifeline is also in jeopardy — for two reasons.
Hayne is determined to be part of his daughter Belivia’s life — a major factor in his decision to ignore any overseas overtures from French rugby.
Hayne’s return to Parramatta just over 12 months ago on around $500,000 enabled him to move closer to the Central Coast base of Belivia’s mother, Ameilia.
Playing overseas has always been viewed as a last resort by Hayne.
Hayne is set to face US rape allegations in a five-day civil court trial in 2020.
John Clune, who has represented women in several high-profile sexual assault cases including allegations against celebrity athlete Kobe Bryant and US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, told The Sunday Telegraph that he would co-operate with Australian police if there was an opportunity to help each other.
“It depends on if there is a criminal case,’’ Clune said.
“If there is a criminal case, we don’t want to do anything that would interfere with that prosecution so we wouldn’t reach out during a criminal case. If there is not or we hear from either this woman or law enforcement, if they initiate a call, we would be happy to talk with them.”
The alleged victim claimed she was a virgin and was raped by the athlete after they met at a bar while he was playing for the San Francisco 49ers NFL team in 2015.
Hayne has categorically denied the US allegations. Clune said that the new accusation, if it were proven, could help his client’s civil case if it shows a pattern of behaviour.
The rise of Hayne, the boy from Minto who reigned over the NRL before quitting his beloved Eels to follow a dream to play NFL, was bold, admired and unprecedented.
But the recent allegations have been nothing short of extraordinary and sad.
When Hayne left for the US in October 2014, he did so with a $20 American football from Target in his luggage.
By September the following year, he was suiting up in a helmet and pads on a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers.
Hayne-mania dominated not just sport pages, but news pages.
He had his own designated section on the Telegraph website, he had his own clothing label and travelling film crew.
In May 2016, Hayne — after being told his future at the 49ers was over — quit the NFL to chase another dream, Rio Olympic selection with the Fijian Seven’s squad.
Unable to prove his worth in time for the Olympics, Hayne returned to the NRL to link with the Gold Coast Titans on a record deal in August 2016 worth a reported $1.2 million a season.
Appearing in 23 games over the course of two seasons (2016 and 2017) with the Titans, Hayne’s tenure was blotted by photographs with a Hells Angels bikie and a fallout with former coach Neil Henry, which coupled with the arrival of his daughter, Belivia, led to his departure.
When the prodigal son returned to Parramatta in December 2017, Eels coach Brad Arthur described Hayne’s arrival as the greatest financial sacrifice by any player in the history of the game.
Hayne is now without a job and being instructed by Qutami to resist speaking publicly.
Adviser Wayne Beavis is yet to meet with Hayne, having spent the past two days in country NSW.
Beavis declined to comment on the investigation, directing all inquiries to Qutami.
Qatami failed to respond to a phone call and text message yesterday.
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