Disgraced former NRL star Jarryd Hayne’s freedom may come to an finish and he could also be spending Easter behind bars after he was discovered responsible of sexual assault.
After 5 years, three trials, an attraction and 9 months in jail, Hayne was on Tuesday discovered responsible of sexually assaulting a girl at her Newcastle dwelling in 2018.
It was the third time the Dally M winner has confronted a trial over the identical incident, and the second time he was discovered responsible.
Whereas he claims the sexual encounter was totally consensual, the jury accepted the girl’s model of occasions that she repeatedly stated “no” and ”cease”.
He walked into the courtroom at Sydney’s Downing Centre Court docket at precisely 9.30 sporting a blue navy jacket and khaki chinos, after his last two days of freedon the place Crown prosecutor John Sfinas is making use of for him to be taken into custody.
The 35-year-old is a religious Christian however is now dealing with the prospect of being away from his household for Easter, spending the spiritual weekend behind bars.
He spent the previous two days spending time with family members forward of his incarceration.
The 35-year-old plans to attraction the conviction, telling media exterior courtroom on Tuesday he was “fairly assured” it will go in his favour.
The jury of six males and 6 ladies took virtually 23 hours to return to the choice, earlier than the foreman stated the phrase “responsible” to the courtroom simply after 3.30pm Tuesday.
For greater than 18 hours, the jury had not requested for any assist or steering till noon on Monday the place they stated they have been “struggling” to return to a unanimous determination.
Simply over 24 hours later, they’d ship a second notice saying they’d made progress, however questioned whether or not “ignorance of the regulation” was an appropriate defence.
Decide Graham Turnbull SC gave the brief reply: “no”.
They shuffled again into the jury room the place it will take them lower than an hour to determine Hayne’s destiny.
Ms Cunneen had simply stood on the bar desk, after doing an indication of the cross earlier than getting into the room, and indicated she wished to say one thing in regards to the jury’s earlier notice.
However she can be reduce off by the choose saying he was handed a verdict.
Greater than a dozen family and friends stuffed the primary two rows of the general public gallery.
Murmurs unfold across the group as supporters and media exchanged glances, readying themselves.
Hayne stood because the jury re-entered the room earlier than the foreman stated they’d discovered the 35-year-old responsible on each counts of sexual assault with out consent.
The six foot two former footy participant stood together with his palms on his hips, earlier than slumping again in his chair, shaking his head.
His spouse leant ahead in her seat along with her head in her palms because the verdicts have been handed down, crying and shaking.
Jodie Hayne, his mom, additionally leant ahead and held again tears as she seemed across the room in disbelief.
Throughout a quick adjournment, Hayne went over to Ms Bonnici and hugged her as she cried into his chest.
