Ex-career criminal reveals why Jarryd Hayne will have to be on guard in prison after rape conviction – but says a group inside will give fallen footy icon ‘rock star status’
- Russell Manser explained what to expect from Jarryd Hayne
- Manser committed a spate of bank robberies in Sydney in the 1990s
- Told his TikTok followers that Hayne will have a target on his head
Former Sydney career criminal Russell Manser has predicted that Jarryd Hayne will face nasty reception from other inmates.
The one-time Parramatta Eels fullback was found guilty of assault in NSW District Court by a 12-member jury on April 4 and awaits sentencing.
It was the third trial after Hayne’s first stint in a Newcastle courtroom ended in a hung jury, and on his second appearance the 35-year-old was given a prison sentence of five years and nine months.
Hayne subsequently successfully appealed, leading to a third trial in which he was charged again with assaulting a woman at her Fletcher home on the outskirts of Newcastle, north of Sydney, on the night of the grand final of the NRL in 2018.
Manser, who committed a spate of bank robberies in the early 1990s that resulted in numerous jail terms, told his TikTok Hayne’s followers should expect a torrid welcome behind bars.
Former Sydney career criminal Russell Manser has revealed that inmates and guards will treat fallen NRL star Jarryd Hayne very differently following his rape conviction
Hayne was convicted of sexual assault in his third trial and is awaiting sentencing
“He will be given rock star status by the (prison) officers, but the regular inmates will give it to him,” he said.
“They’ll be terrified throwing things at him and beating him up if they get the chance to do so… he’s not going to be any different than anyone else.”
“If someone gets a chance to attack him, they do it because of his profile. Someone will try to get a notch on their belt.
“That was proven when he spent time in Parklea (prison) and they threw apples at him.”
Based on his own experiences as a prisoner, Manser expects Hayne to be returned to Cooma Correctional Centre, south of Canberra, where he will be placed in protective custody.
The two-time Dally M Medal winner served nine months in the facility before being released last February.
Hayne is then expected to be housed in Long Bay in eastern Sydney, where he will be required to complete a compulsory course following his rape conviction.
Manser further described the appeal process for Hayne as “tough” and believes it will take at least 12 to 18 months.
Hayne’s wife Amellia Bonnici (pictured together) wept in court as the guilty verdict was handed down on April 4
The Dally M winner shook his head as the verdict was handed down in NSW District Court
He expects Hayne to become “broken stone motherless” given his huge legal costs.
On April 4, Hayne was found guilty of two counts of unauthorized sexual intercourse after 21 hours of deliberations over six days.
Hayne vowed to appeal the verdicts when he spoke to reporters outside Downing Center District Court in Sydney and became angry when asked if he had any regrets.
‘Sorry?’ he asked, before a reporter asked, “Are you sorry, Jarryd?”
The footy star then replied, “For telling the truth?”
When a Nine News reporter pointed out that Hayne had now been found guilty of rape twice, he interrupted her with an outburst.
‘Did I lie? Did I lie? Did I lie?’ he said. “That’s factual evidence.”
Earlier, Hayne had tears in his eyes when he said he was ‘devastated’ by the result.
“I stand for the truth,” he said, adding that he maintained his “100 percent” innocence.
“I never lied to the police, I never deleted evidence, I never hid witnesses — you do the math,” Hayne said.
Hayne faces a maximum sentence of 14 years behind bars.
