HAYNE SEX ASSAULT TRIAL STARTS
FORMER NRL star Jarryd Hayne is alleged to have performed oral sex and digitally penetrated a woman who said “no and stop”, leaving her bleeding as a taxi waited for him outside, a court has been told.
The former footy legend, 35, arrived at Sydney District Court on Monday morning as his sexual assault trial began.
Mr Hayne has denied sexually assaulting the woman at her home in Fletcher, on Newcastle’s outskirts, on the night of the NRL grand final in 2018.
He has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming he engaged in consensual sexual acts, and has pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual intercourse without consent.
A total of 14 jurors were selected from a group of about 50 people. Judge Graham Turnbull SC warned them about extensive media coverage of the matter prior to Monday.
“Familiarity with a sport may incline one to unfounded but instinctive conclusions,” Judge Turnbull told the jury panel.
“The jury must concentrate on the evidence … in this trial alone.”
In his summary to the jury panel, Crown prosecutor John Sfinas told the court Mr Hayne allegedly performed “cunnilingus and digital penetration” without the woman’s consent, which led to bleeding.
“You will hear the complainant and the accused had never actually met,” Mr Sfinas told the court.
Mr Sfinas told the jury panel that contact was instigated by the complainant on Instagram and they messaged for two weeks on Instagram and Snapchat.
Mr Sfinas was expected to give a detailed opening to the jury later on Monday.
The former Parramatta Eels fullback was first charged in November 2018.
The trial continues before Judge Turnbull.