Former NRL participant Jarryd Hayne has been discovered responsible of sexually assaulting a girl at her Newcastle dwelling on the evening of the 2018 NRL grand remaining.
After seven days of deliberating, the jury of six ladies and 6 males returned a unanimous verdict within the NSW District Court on Tuesday.
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The 35-year-old breathed closely and his family members cried as the decision was handed down.
Hayne was discovered responsible on two counts of sexual activity with out consent.
Throughout what was his third trial, the court docket heard Hayne had by no means met the girl, who can’t be recognized for authorized causes, earlier than the evening of the assault, having communicated via social media.
The previous NRL participant was on the town for a bucks’ weekend when he took a taxi to the girl’s dwelling on September 30, 2018.
The taxi waited exterior whereas Hayne assaulted the girl, as she advised him “no” and “cease”.
The assault concerned oral and digital intercourse which lasted about 30 seconds, ending when the girl’s genitals started to bleed, the court docket heard.
Hayne wiped blood from his fingers and mouth earlier than leaving the girl’s dwelling, the court docket heard.
Proof from the girl that had already been recorded was performed to the jury in closed court docket.
Throughout the trial, crown prosecutor John Sfinas mentioned the sufferer by no means tried to current herself in an ideal mild and overtly acted in ways in which would possibly damage her case, elements that make her a extra credible supply.
Since 2018, she has been unable to element precisely how Hayne prompted her to bleed, telling the jury, “I’ve by no means been capable of give a whole reply to what he did, I solely know the accidents”.
Whereas she deleted texts that confirmed she had some curiosity in Hayne, Sfinas mentioned she additionally stored messages that demonstrated a scarcity of readability in consent.
“‘I used to be form of scared and uncertain and I wished to however I additionally did not’, that message, you would possibly assume, will not be good for her, however it’s right here,” he mentioned.
The breadth of her proof confirmed she was a powerful witness making an attempt to inform her story with out an agenda, even when there was an incentive to do in any other case, the prosecution argued.
Sfinas additionally says her ambiguous emotions in direction of Hayne main as much as the assault aren’t essentially as vital.
“Consent is a call not given two weeks earlier than and even two minutes earlier than. An individual consents to sexual activity in the event that they freely and voluntarily agree,” he mentioned.
However Hayne’s barrister Margaret Cunneen SC advised the jury the girl “was a lot lower than sincere” with police, gave inaccurate proof and “put the boot in”, accusing Hayne of sexual assault after a “disappointing” finish to a gathering she had insisted on .
Cunneen advised the jury the girl didn’t wish to go to the police, as a result of she knew no crime had been dedicated.
“This accelerating prepare that begins when somebody will get wind of an allegation of sexual assault may be very onerous to leap off,” Cunneen mentioned in her closing handle.
Cunneen mentioned textual content messages despatched to Hayne had been deleted from the girl’s telephone and different messages to a solicitor she communicated with on social media had been initially hid.
She mentioned the girl “upped the ante” after telling a good friend of the encounter and being advised “that is rape”.
The matter was referred to the police by the NRL’s Integrity Unit in November.
Hayne was a star participant for the Parramatta Eels, represented NSW in State of Origin and performed internationally for Australia and Fiji throughout his skilled profession.
Hayne will face court docket once more on Thursday and can be sentenced at a later date.
– With AAP
In case you or somebody you already know is impacted by sexual assault, home or household violence, name 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or go to 1800RESPECT.org.au.
In an emergency, name 000.
