Doctor who has seen thousands of rape victims briefs court on ‘unusual’ injuries allegedly sustained by woman accusing football star Jarryd Hayne of sexual assault
- Doctor tells court about ‘unusual’ injuries
- Hayne accused of sexual assault in 2018
- Footy star has maintained her innocence
A doctor who has examined thousands of sexual assault victims has told a court about the gruesome injuries a woman received after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by former NRL star Jarryd Hayne during a fleeting encounter.
Mr Hayne, 35, was accompanied by his wife Amellia Bonnici as the second week of his trial began at the NSW District Court on Monday.
The former NSW and Parramatta fullback has denied sexually assaulting the woman at his Newcastle home on the night of the 2018 NRL grand final and has pleaded not guilty to two charges of aggravated sexual assault without consent.
According to Crown Prosecutor John Sfinas, Mr Hayne is accused of being ‘forceful’ and ‘rude’ while performing oral and digital sex on the woman without her consent, causing cuts and considerable bleeding.
Dr. Maria Nittis, an expert in examining suspected sexual assault victims, testified Monday morning, telling the court that the injuries were likely caused by “blunt force” penetration of the woman’s genitals.
The doctor told the court that the injuries allegedly caused by NRL star Jarryd Hayne (pictured outside his trial with wife Amellia Bonnici) during a fleeting encounter on the big final night of 2018 were “rare to see”.
The former NSW and Parramatta fullback (pictured with his wife) has denied sexually assaulting the woman at his Newcastle home on the night of the 2018 NRL grand final.
He told Crown prosecutor John Sfinas that he met the alleged victim six weeks after the alleged incident with Mr Hayne and studied photos of his injuries that the woman took that night.
“It’s a blunt force injury that usually occurs in one of two ways, either because the skin has been stretched beyond its capacity and therefore tears, or because it has been crushed,” said Dr. nittis.
It has definitely been caused by penetration.
“It could be a finger, fingers or hand, it could be an object, it could be a penis.”
Dr. Nittis told the court that she was given a brief story by the alleged victim, who told her that Mr. Hayne was acting “like a jerk” on the night of the incident.
The woman had told the doctor that urinating hurt after the alleged assault and that her vagina itched “like crazy”.
The doctor explained that the woman suffered two lacerations, one smaller and another that he explained was of “unusual size.”
He also noticed a ‘purple bruise’ on the woman’s inner lips, a small bump, and an abrasion.
The doctor told the court that the woman allegedly sustained two lacerations, one of which was smaller and one of which he said was of “unusual size” after her encounter with Hayne.
Dr. Nittis told the court that the alleged injuries were likely caused by “forced” activity, but that did not indicate whether the sexual activity was consensual (Hayne pictured outside court with his wife).
Dr. Nittis told the court that the lacerations were caused by the “stretching” of the tissue inside the vagina.
He said the injuries were likely caused by “violent” activity, but it was not an indicator of whether the sexual activity was consensual.
“It’s what I would call a significant injury, it’s rare to see an injury like that after a sexual assault…it would be particularly painful,” Dr. Nittis told the court.
“You can’t look at an injury and determine if there was consent…it’s an unusual injury after examining hundreds of sexual assault victims.”
The trial continues before Judge Graham Turnbull.
