HAYNE DENIES RAPE
FORMER Gold Coast Titan Jarryd Hayne has “unequivocally and vehemently” denied accusations he raped a restaurant worker during his stint as an American footballer in 2015. The woman, 25, claims she was raped after a drunken night at a bar. Hayne, who left the Titans last month, said he had co-operated with prosecutors who decided not to charge him last year.
JARRYD Hayne insists he never raped a 25-year-old “religious” restaurant worker while playing gridiron in the US but says he was questioned by prosecutors before they decided not to charge him.
The young woman who alleges the NRL superstar took her virginity while she was heavily intoxicated in 2015 has now launched a civil claim against Hayne, hiring a lawyer responsible for “David and Goliath” lawsuits against sports stars such as basketballer Kobe Bryant.
Former Gold Coast Titans star Hayne, who returned from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem three days ago for the first birthday of his daughter Bel, yesterday “unequivocally and vehemently” denied the allegations which stem from when he was playing for NFL giants the San Francisco 49ers after switching codes.
The claims were revealed in legal documents filed as part of a civil lawsuit in the Superior Court of California Santa Clara by lawyers for the woman, known as Ms V, who claims Hayne raped her at his San Jose apartment on December 21 2015.
She did not go to police until May last year, fearing she would not be believed.
In October last year, the Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office decided no charges would be laid.
Hayne’s Sydney lawyer, Ramy Qutami of Madison Marcus, said his client provided all reasonable assistance to the DA, and a criminal case did not proceed because there was insufficient evidence. “Mr Hayne unequivocally and vehemently denies the allegations,” he said.
After the documents are served on Hayne, which could take some weeks, he will have to lodge a defence with the court. The woman has requested a jury trial.
One of the woman’s lawyers, Micha Star Liberty, said yesterday that her client still suffered “vaginal floor pain”.
According to documents filed with the court, the woman got to know Hayne through his 49ers teammates. They all met at a bar for after-dinner drinks.
The woman claims Hayne hired an Uber to return to his apartment where he told her “no kissing” and “put his hands on her shoulder and flipped her around so she was no longer facing him”.
He was gone when she woke next morning, but she took his underpants “in case there was a need for testing”.
She says she did not initially go to police because she “had heard of many cases, especially involving high-profile athletes where victims were discredited and even blamed”.
When she confronted Hayne on Instagram, he “admitted … they had ‘hooked up’”, the documents claim.
The Eels said: “As with any legal matter, it is important that we follow due process and ensure that we review all relevant information available, including giving Jarryd the opportunity to respond.”
A 49ers spokesman said it had not heard of the matter.
A Titans spokesman said the club would not be releasing a statement as it happened before Hayne joined the Gold Coast team.