Jarryd Hayne sentenced to jail for sex assault

Former NRL superstar Jarryd Hayne’s fall from grace is complete with a judge sentencing him to jail for sexual assault.

At one point Jarryd Hayne was the biggest story in Australian sport but on Thursday his stunning fall from grace was completed as it was revealed he would not see the outside world until January 2025.

Tempers frayed and tears were shed as the disgraced former NRL star and convicted rapist was jailed for the sexual assault of a young woman inside her Newcastle home.

Inside courtroom 6.1 of the Newcastle Court House, Hayne continued to profess his innocence however his victim stood just metres from him, detailing how the assault had devastated every aspect of her life.

District Court Judge Helen Syme sentenced Hayne to a maximum of five years and nine months behind bars, with a non-parole period of three years and eight months.

One female among Hayne’s group of supporters shed tears as he was sentenced and another yelled out “you’re innocent”.

Meanwhile, outside court there were ugly scenes as one of his supporters allegedly spat in the direction of the complainant as she exited the court

And a violent altercation erupted outside court as Hayne’s supporters vented their anger.

Hayne, 33, was found guilty by a jury in March of the sexual assault of the then 26-year-old woman at her Fletcher home on Newcastle’s outskirts in September 2018.

There were gasps in the court as the sentence was handed down. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Peter Lorimer

“She clearly said no several times and indicated by her actions,” Judge Syme said as she handed down her sentence.

“There is no other conclusion than he knew she did not consent.

“The offender … went ahead anyway and forced a sexual act on her.”

Hayne was found guilty of performing oral and digital sex without her consent on NRL grand final night in 2018.

The woman suffered two lacerations and bled profusely after the assault.

Judge Syme said the assault was brief, however noted Hayne only stopped because of the presence of blood, not because of her protests

“The assault was only a matter of minutes at most and he stopped,” she said.

“He did not stop because she said so, but because he saw blood.”

Judge Syme told the court that the victim had said, “There’s no way I’m going to touch you,” after she discovered Hayne had a taxi waiting outside to take him back to Sydney.

She also said that the woman, who cannot be identified, repeatedly said “no” and “stop” but Hayne had shown “entitled” behaviour toward the woman.

Judge Syme said he continued to deny responsibility for his crime and his chances of rehabilitation were only “hopeful”.

The disgraced NRL star had declared hours earlier in court “I didn’t do it” before learning his fate.

The woman began conversing with Hayne on social media in 2018.

Jarryd Hayne arriving at court before being taken into custody. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Hayne had been drinking heavily while in Newcastle for a two-day buck’s party for a former teammate and had agreed to come over to the woman’s house.

However, despite some of their past conversations being sexual, the woman said she resolved she would not consent when she heard a cab, which he had paid $550 to take him back to Sydney, beeping outside.

Hayne was drinking on the drive to the woman’s house and left the empty bottle of a pre-mixed alcoholic drink on the letterbox.

He went into the woman’s bedroom and lay on her bed where he attempted to serenade her by singing along to some of his “go-to” songs on YouTube, including an Ed Sheeran cover of Oasis’ Wonderwall.

However they were interrupted by the cab outside.

After going outside and speaking to the driver, he returned and went to the lounge room to watch the closing stages of the Sydney Roosters’ grand final win, before going into her room once again where he committed the assault.

According to the woman, he forcibly kissed her and pushed her head into the pillow.

She described being overpowered by Hayne, who she said pulled off her jeans before sexually assaulting her, despite her attempts to stop him.

Earlier on Thursday, Hayne’s defence barrister Richard Pontello SC argued Hayne had already suffered punishment after losing his job as an NRL player.

Jarryd Hayne walks into court shielded by umbrellas before he was jailed. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

At the time, the Parramatta Eels had refused to renew his contract.

However Hayne said he had agreed to a $500,000, one-year contract with St George Illawarra, however the deal fell through when he was charged in November 2018.

He told the court he was set to meet with Dragons officials on the day he was charged and was expecting to sign the contract that day.

However crown prosecutor Brian Costello challenged his assertion, asking Hayne what he expected the consequences to be if he was convicted of sexual assault.

“I didn’t do it,” Mr Hayne told the court.

Former NRL superstar Jarryd Hayne leaving the Downing Centre with his wife Amelia Bonnici, during the trial. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Christian Gilles

“What did you think would happen if you went out and committed an offence of sexual intercourse without consent in relation to your career?” Mr Costello asked.

“I didn’t think about doing something without consent,” Hayne said.

Hayne continued to deny that he at any point contemplated what would have happened to his contract had he been charged with sexual assault.

“What the law says is innocent until proven guilty, I was never afforded that,” Hayne said.

The victim on Thursday delivered a powerful victim impact statement, saying the assault had devastated every facet of her life.

“No I didn’t scream, no I didn’t say come over for sex, no I didn’t provoke him,” she said.

“I’ve kept it together as best I can. I feel I’ve walked through fire.

“At the beginning of this someone said to me you may be scared, but you could be the key for other people who don’t feel strong enough.”

There were ugly scenes as she exited the court, with one Hayne’s supporters allegedly spitting in her direction.

Police labelled the man’s behaviour as “disgraceful and disgusting”.

A short while later, a violent altercation erupted as a group of friends and family attempted to shield Hayne’s wife as she left the court.

It is not suggested the man who allegedly spat was involved in the brawl.

Several of them waved umbrellas and formed a scrum around Amellia Bonnici as she attempted to get into a waiting car.

They clashed with journalists, with one photographer saying that he was punched in the back of the head and placed in a headlock.