Jarryd Hayne’s final days of freedom before jail

This could be could be one of the last tastes of freedom for convicted rapist Jarryd Hayne.

Jarryd Hayne at Ettalong Beach on the NSW central coast over the Easter long weekend.

For convicted rapist Jarryd Hayne, this could be one of his last tastes of freedom for a while.

Over the long weekend, the one-time Parramatta Eels star, who was last month found guilty on two counts of sexual assault, was seen relaxing at Ettalong Beach on the NSW central coast.

Hayne, who won the Dally M Medal twice during his illustrious rugby league career, was spotted playing football in the ocean and swimming with family and friends on the Easter weekend.

“He was relaxed and smiling, throwing a ball with a mate and a child,” one observer said. “He spent hours on the beach and in the water. You’d never know from looking at him that these are possibly his final days of freedom.”

Hayne has been granted bail, with a $50,000 surety. The 33-year-old has a requirement to ­report to police daily, and a ban on leaving his local area on the central coast where he lives.

When Hayne was found guilty on March 22, judge Helen Syme said jail was “inevitable” for the fallen football star.

Hayne has said he planned to ­appeal the conviction. “I’d rather go to jail knowing I spoke the truth than be a free man living a lie,” he said outside court following his guilty verdict.

He faces up to 14 years in jail at his sentence hearing in Newcastle District Court on May 6.

A short video of the crime scene has emerged, with the 26-year-old victim’s blood-soaked sheets captured on film following the 2018 assault. The victim said Hayne ripped off her clothing and performed digital and oral sex on her, even after she said no.

She described how, afterwards, Hayne washed blood from his face while she stood in the shower, watching bloody water running down the drain.

The woman said she was not sure “whether he bit me or cut me” on the genitals. Hayne testified he must have accidentally cut her with his ­finger.

After three days of deliberating, a jury found Hayne guilty of two counts of sexual intercourse without consent. He was found not guilty of the more serious charges of aggravated sexual intercourse without consent and recklessly inflicting bodily harm.

The NRL, the Parramatta Eels, the Rugby League Players Association and NSW Rugby League have all said they will deliberate on whether or not Hayne will keep the medals he won during his ­career following the outcome of his appeal.

Five years ago, Hayne — then playing for the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL — faced serious sexual assault alle­gations from a US woman. He was never charged, with police saying there was insufficient evidence for criminal action. In 2017, the woman sued Hayne on a range of charges, including sexual battery, ­battery, gender violence, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.

The parties ended up settling the matter out of court for an undisclosed amount that was ­“mutually agreeable”.