Content warning: This story contains references to sexual assault.
Two-time NRL player-of-the-year Jarryd Hayne maintains his innocence after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in her Newcastle home in 2018, but accepts he is going to jail.
Hayne, 33, had denied assaulting the woman saying the incident in her bedroom had been consensual.
After nearly 18 hours of deliberations that began last Wednesday, the Sydney District Court jury found him not guilty of both counts of aggravated sexual sexual intercourse without consent inflicting actual bodily harm.
But Hayne was found guilty of two alternative counts of sexual intercourse without consent.
Outside court on Monday, Hayne told reporters: “I’d rather go to jail knowing I spoke the truth than be a free man living a lie.
“It’s unfortunate, it’s disappointing but at the end of the day they’ve come to a decision and I respect that," he added.
The Crown had argued the former State of Origin player felt entitled to sex when he went to the then-26-year-old woman's Newcastle home, having left his friends drinking at a bucks party and also missing watching his old teammates in the NRL grand final that evening.
The woman testified Hayne was "rough, forceful and inconsiderate," despite her protests of "no" and "no Jarryd," and pushed her face into the pillow before ripping her jeans off.
Hayne testified that the woman had become "filthy" after finding out a taxi was waiting for him outside her home and knew she did not want sex.
But he wanted to "please her" and the pair kissed before he commenced consensual oral and digital sex, he said.
"She said she didn't want to have sex. We didn't have sex," Hayne said.
He rejected the suggestion the woman was retreating up the bed to get away from him, saying she helped him remove her pants.
The assault lasted for about 30 seconds before the woman started bleeding from her genitals.
Jarryd Hayne has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in 2018. Source: AAP
The Crown argued Hayne had no reasonable grounds for believing the woman would have consented to any sexual activity that evening.
But Hayne's barrister argued his client was content to "take it or leave it" and fully respected the woman's wishes to not have sex after she found out about the taxi.
If you or someone you know is impacted by family and domestic violence or sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
