- Hayne appeared in court again in Sydney on Friday.
- It arrived after he was released from jail on June 11.
- Soccer star will not face fourth trial for alleged rape
Sexual assault charges against former NRL superstar Jarryd Hayne have officially been dropped, a court has been told.
Three days after the Director of Public Prosecutions announced they would not pursue a fourth trial against the former Parramatta and Gold Coast defender, Hayne made a surprise appearance with his lawyers at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court on Friday.
Judge Craig Everson was told the prosecution had dropped two charges of sexual intercourse without consent.
Hayne, 36, has consistently denied the charges and has had his convictions overturned twice by the Court of Criminal Appeal.
He broke down in tears and said he “stayed true” to himself as he thanked God and the people who supported him during the lengthy legal saga over the alleged attack.
The former Parramatta Eels full-back also joked he now looks more like a front-rower after gaining weight in prison as he poured cold water on the possibility of returning to football at 36.
Hayne was released from prison earlier this month after his convictions were overturned.
He spent more than a year behind bars after a jury found him guilty in April 2023 of two counts of sexual intercourse without consent.
A very emotional Hayne made a surprise appearance in a Sydney court on Friday (pictured) as sexual assault charges against him were officially dropped.
The former Parramatta Eels star shed tears as he thanked God and his fans before joking about how much his body has changed in prison while casting doubt on his chances of returning to football after regaining his freedom.
Six years of court battles and two stints in prison took their toll on the former State of Origin and Kangaroos star and he broke down while speaking to the media (pictured)
The 36-year-old (pictured outside court on Friday) said the dropping of the charges was “a vindication for me, my family and my loved ones”.
The Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that he would not face a fourth trial.
“Yes, obviously excited,” Hayne said outside court, looking relieved as he emerged alongside his lawyer Margaret Cunneen SC and barrister Lauren MacDougall.
‘I stayed true to myself the whole time, throughout the whole process. Today is a vindication for me, my family and my loved ones.
‘I want to thank all those who supported me from day one, who were by my side and with me.’
At one point, Mr. Hayne stopped because he seemed to be getting emotional and at a loss for words.
“After carefully considering the many competing factors that inform the public interest assessment in this case, the ODPP has decided not to proceed with a fourth trial against Mr. Hayne,” the Prosecutor’s Office said during the hearing.
Hayne’s wife, Amellia Bonnici, joined him to witness the end of his legal battle against the criminal charges (pictured).
Hayne (pictured leaving jail earlier this month) spent more than a year behind bars after a jury found him guilty in a verdict that has since been overturned on appeal.
The full-back’s glittering football career (pictured playing for Parramatta in 2018) now appears to be over despite him earning his release.
The two-time Dally M winner turned NFL player has consistently denied the allegations and claimed the sexual encounter, inside the woman’s Newcastle home at the 2018 NRL grand final, was entirely consensual.
His first trial in 2021 resulted in a hung jury and, after a second trial, he was found guilty, although the verdict was overturned on appeal.
After a third trial, a jury accepted the woman’s version of events that she repeatedly said “no” and “stop.”
However, the state’s highest court overturned Hayne’s conviction after ruling that the trial judge erred in not allowing a deeper examination of the plaintiff.
The appeal was upheld by a majority decision of 2 to 1 by the Court of Criminal Appeal.
In her part of the sentencing, Judge Deborah Sweeney called the guilty verdicts unreasonable and said she was “of the view that there is a significant possibility that an innocent person may have been convicted.”
Hayne still faces a civil lawsuit from his accuser, who is suing him for an undisclosed amount over the alleged attack.