Jarryd Hayne granted bail by judge ahead of sentencing
Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne will spend Easter with his family after his bail was continued by a judge. It comes after he was found guilty of sexual assault on Tuesday.
Police & Courts
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Convicted rapist Jarryd Hayne has been led out of court by seven sheriffs as he headed home to spend Easter with his family after he was let out on bail.
The 35-year-old walked out of Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court on Thursday afternoon, clutching the hand of his wife Amellia Bonnici as seven sheriff’s officers told media to get out of the way.
Hayne was found guilty of sexual assault on Tuesday, and faced a full-day bail hearing on Thursday where Crown prosecutor John Sfinas applied for him to be taken into custody.
Defence barrister Margaret Cunneen SC opposed the application and told the court Hayne was “too high-profile” to be sent to prison in the midst of major media coverage.
Judge Graham Turnbull SC agreed with the defence’s opposition, saying “who he is and what’s surrounded him” has made him “particularly vulnerable in the circumstances”.
Hayne will now spend the next month on bail before his fate is sealed at a sentencing on May 8.
“It is something which is an exceptional case and created an exceptional circumstance,” he said.
“I’m of the view they exist sufficient to justify a rejection of the detention application.”
The court heard he had received hundreds of threats in the days since the guilty verdict.
“Should lock him up with a few guys and teach him what it’s like to have your consent disregarded,” one threat read.
“You are the lowest of the low you deserve no sympathy,” another said.
Another read: “Big bubba is waiting”.
Judge Turnbull said there was evidence Hayne had been “vilified” in the public arena as he anticipated the star would be taken into custody at a later date.
He told there court there was “no question” Hayne would be going to prison when he faces sentencing next month.
Ms Cunneen told the court she opposed the application, saying the young family has endured large amounts of “vitriol” following the verdict.
She argued that Hayne should not be taken into custody because he is too high-profile.
“This is a case which is exceptional, there wouldn’t be such a massive press contingent present in court if there wasn’t something exceptional about this case, but that has added to the unrelenting media pressure on this very young family,” Ms Cunneen said.
“The fact (is) this family can’t even walk out of their homes without the pressure of the press on them.”
The court heard Hayne had previously been targeted while in custody, meaning he had to be protected, with the decision to release him on bail based on the conditions he would face now, rather than what he would face when sentenced.
Ms Cunneen said Hayne is “much more liable” to attacks while in custody as the “intensity of publicity” is greater than ever.
The court was told there had been comments made to the family’s personal social media accounts which appear to be “threatening”.
“The visceral response is grossly out of proportion to the relative seriousness to the circumstances in this case,” she said.
“Mr Hayne is treated as the most evil and serious sex offender that has ever come out of the earth.”
She called Hayne’s wife Amelia Bonnici to the stand, after telling the court the coming few weeks would be difficult for Hayne’s family if he is taken into custody.
When asked by Ms Cunneen if the couple share three children, Ms Bonnici broke down on the stand.
“Have you prepared an affidavit in relation to what the next few weeks will mean to you and your family without your husband’s support to get things prepared for his sentence?” Ms Cunneen asked.
Ms Bonnici began crying before she said: “I can’t even put that into words.”
The court heard the family would have to relocate to a “country town” so Ms Bonnici could get help with supporting her three children.
She told the Crown prosecutor she would have to rely on extended family.
Mr Sfinas suggested there were “a lot of people” to support Hayne and Ms Bonnici in court.
“I think it’s different to extended family support, they can’t help raise my children,” she replied.
Family and friends filled the public gallery, with some even sharing seats to fit everyone in the room.
On arrival to court, Hayne hugged Ms Bonnici, who walked in wearing a blue dress with a grey coat.
The 35-year-old is a devout Christian but is now facing the prospect of being away from his family for Easter, spending the religious weekend behind bars.
He spent the past two days spending time with loved ones ahead of his incarceration.
The Dally M winner, in a button up business shirt and tie, appeared dejected as he left his Merrylands West home at around 9am on Thursday morning, surrounded by family and friends.
Ms Bonnici, in sunglasses, followed closely behind him to the car.
His one-year old daughter was also seen crying in a family member’s arms as her father left through the front door and proceeded down the staircase.
An emotional and teary eyed Hayne said following Tuesday’s decision, he was “devastated, mate, devastated” while also saying he “100 per cent” maintains his innocence and the sexual encounter was entirely consensual.
“I never lied to police. I never deleted evidence. I never hid witnesses. You do the maths,” he said as he walked arm in arm with his wife.
Hayne will appeal the decision but told reporters on Tuesday he intended to spend the next few days with his family and friends.
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