HAYNE PLANE LANDS IN JAIL
JARRYD Hayne was once the biggest story in Australian sport, but on Thursday his fall from grace was completed as it was revealed he would not see the outside world until 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 the Newcastle Court House, Hayne continued to profess his innocence as his victim stood just metres from him and his supporters, detailing how the assault had devastated 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. A female in Hayne’s group of supporters shed tears as he was sentenced and another yelled out: “You’re innocent”. 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. “She clearly said no several times,” 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, but noted Hayne only stopped because of the blood.
The judge said Hayne continued to deny responsibility and his chances of rehabilitation were only “hopeful”.
“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 the victim had said: “there’s no way I’m going to touch you” after she found Hayne had a taxi waiting outside to take him back to Sydney.
She also said the woman — who cannot be identified
— repeatedly said “no” and “stop” but Hayne had shown “entitled” behaviour toward the woman.
She described being overpowered by Hayne, who she said pulled off her jeans before sexually assaulting her, despite her attempts to stop him.
The disgraced NRL star had declared hours earlier “I didn’t do it” in the court before learning his fate.
Earlier on Thursday, Hayne’s defence barrister argued Hayne had already suffered punishment after losing his job as an NRL player.
The victim on Thursday delivered a powerful victim impact statement, saying the assault had devastated every facet of her life.
There were ugly scenes as she exited the court, with one of Hayne’s supporters allegedly spitting in her direction.