Jarryd Hayne facing sex assault charge
THE PAIR MET ON SOCIAL MEDIA BEFORE MEETING IN PERSON WHEN HAYNE WAS IN THE HUNTER REGION FOR A NIGHT OUT.
FORMER Gold Coast Titans NRL star Jarryd Hayne has been charged with aggravated sexual assault over allegations he sexually assaulted a young woman on Grand Final night.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years jail.
Hayne arrived at Ryde police station at 4pm by appointment with his player manager Wayne Beavis and met with detectives about allegations he assaulted the woman in the Newcastle area.
He has not yet spoken publicly about the claims.
It was reported last week that a woman complained to police after the alleged incident in a house in the Hunter Valley on September 30.
The pair met on social media before meeting in person when Hayne was in the Hunter Region for a night out. It is understood they had been corresponding in the time leading up to September 30.
The alleged victim made a complaint to the NRL last week and not the police, but the league’s integrity unit immediately referred her to NSW Police. She was interviewed by detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad this week.
A NSW Police spokeswoman last week confirmed officers were investigating the incident.
“Police are investigating following reports a woman was sexually assaulted by a 30-year-old man in late September,” she said.
Hayne’s lawyer Ramy Qutami last week said he had not spoken to his client about the allegations.
“All I’ve heard is what has been in the media and until I speak to Jarryd there is nothing we can say about it,” he said.
The two-time Dally M Medal winner’s career is at a standstill with the Eels unable to fit him under their salary cap.
He has been negotiating with St George-Illawarra but no agreement has been reached. No other clubs have any interest in signing the former NSW Origin hero.
The NRL last week said the Hunter Valley claim was a police matter.
“We are aware of the situation but it’s a police matter and the NRL will not be commenting further,’’ an NRL spokesman said.
Parramatta said it also would not be commenting on the claims.
“As this is a police matter the club will be making no public comment in relations to these reports,” said an Eels spokesman.