Sexual assault costs towards former NRL celebrity Jarryd Hayne have formally been dropped, a courtroom has been instructed.
Three days after the Director of Public Prosecutions introduced they’d not pursue a fourth trial towards the previous Parramatta and Gold Coast fullback, Hayne made a shock look along with his attorneys appeared in Sydney’s Downing Centre District Courtroom on Friday.
Decide Craig Everson was instructed that the DPP had dropped two counts of sexual activity with out consent.
Mr Hayne, 36, has persistently denied the allegations and has twice had his conviction overturned by the Courtroom of Felony Enchantment.
He broke down in tears and stated he ‘stayed true’ to himself as he thanked God and the individuals who’d supported him throughout the lengthy authorized saga over the alleged assault.
The previous Parramatta Eels fullback additionally joked that he now seems to be extra like a entrance rower after placing on weight in jail as he poured chilly water on the potential of returning to footy at age 36. Â
Hayne was launched from jail earlier this month after having his convictions quashed.
He spent greater than a 12 months behind bars after a jury in April 2023 discovered him responsible of two counts of sexual activity with out consent.
A really emotional Hayne made a shock look at a Sydney courtroom on Friday (pictured) because the sexual assault costs towards him had been formally droppedÂ
The previous Parramatta Eels star shed tears as he thanked God and his supporters earlier than joking about how a lot his physique has modified in jail as he solid doubt on the possibilities of him returning to footy after regaining his freedom
Six years of courtroom battles and two stints in jail took their toll on the previous State of Origin and Kangaroos star and he broke down as he fronted the media (pictured)
The Officer of the Director of Public Prosecutions on Tuesday confirmed in an announcement he wouldn’t face a fourth trial.
‘Yeah, clearly excited,’ Mr Hayne stated exterior courtroom, trying relieved as he exited alongside his barrister Margaret Cunneen SC and solicitor Lauren MacDougall.
‘I stayed true to myself the entire time, the entire course of. At this time is a vindication for myself and my household and my family members.
‘I need to say thanks to all those who supported me from day one, stood by me and stood subsequent to me.
‘It has been a rollercoaster. The boys on the within that stood by me, mates on the skin and everybody that stood shoulder to shoulder with me, I recognize that.
The 36-year-old (pictured exterior courtroom on Friday) stated the dropping of the costs was ‘a vindication for myself and my household and my family members’
‘Fascinated with everybody that prayed for me, I thank God for maintaining me secure, not solely myself however my spouse as nicely, what she needed to undergo.
‘It has been robust. I am simply grateful as we speak for all of the assist.’
At one level Mr Hayne stopped as he appeared to turn out to be emotional and misplaced for phrases.
Requested if he would return to soccer, he laughed and stated, ‘I appear like a front-rower.’Â
‘Having rigorously thought of the various competing elements that inform the evaluation of the general public curiosity on this case, the ODPP has decided to not proceed to a fourth trial towards Mr Hayne,’ the DPP stated throughout the listening to.
The 2-time Dally M winner and NFL convert has persistently denied the allegations and claimed the sexual encounter, inside the girl’s Newcastle house on NRL grand ultimate evening in 2018, was totally consensual
His first trial in 2021 resulted in a hung jury and following a second trial he was discovered responsible, nevertheless the decision was quashed on attraction.
Hayne’s spouse Amellia Bonnici joined him to witness the top of his authorized battle towards the legal costs (pictured)
Hayne (pictured being launched from jail earlier this month) spent greater than a 12 months behind bars after a jury discovered him responsible in a verdict that has since been overturned on attraction
The fullback’s glittering footy profession (pictured enjoying for Parramatta in 2013) now seems to be over regardless of him profitable his freedom
Following a 3rd trial, a jury accepted the girl’s model of occasions that she repeatedly stated ‘no’ and ‘cease’.
Nonetheless, the state’s highest courtroom quashed Mr Hayne’s conviction after it dominated the trial choose erred by not permitting additional examination of the complainant.
The attraction was upheld in a 2-1 majority resolution by the Courtroom of Felony Enchantment.
In her portion of the judgment, Justice Deborah Sweeney stated the responsible verdicts had been unreasonable and stated she was ‘of the view there’s a important risk that an harmless individual has been convicted’.
Hayne continues to be dealing with a civil lawsuit from his accuser, who’s suing him for an undisclosed quantity over the alleged assault.Â
