Father-of-one Mina Greiss has been identified by police as the man accused of spitting near a rape victim outside Jarryd Hayne’s sentencing on Thursday. However, he may have been spitting toward news reporters, police said
The tattooed Jarryd Hayne supporter accused of spitting near a rape victim as she left court is a father-of-one who is on bail for a stalking offence.
Mina Greiss, 38, from Mount Druitt in Sydney’s west, is the alleged ‘grub’ accused of spitting as the brave woman was escorted out of Newcastle court on Thursday evening.
The alleged incident came shortly after the young woman delivered a powerful victim impact statement in front of her famous rapist.
Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal that police have identified Greiss as the bearded man in the plain shirt at the centre of a social media storm.
The tattooed man was among a large scrum of supporters accompanying Hayne and his wife Amellia Bonnici on the day he was jailed for five years and nine months. Greiss was pinpointed after investigators pored through CCTV vision from the courthouse as well as online evidence.
Greiss travelled from his humble unit in the city’s greater west especially for the sentencing. However it is understood NSW Police investigators do not believe Greiss was intentionally spitting towards Hayne’s victim, but possibly news reporters.
NSW Police officers investigating the case do not believe Greiss (above) was deliberately targeting the victim with the alleged action, but possibly news reporters
Hayne’s wife Amellia Bonnici (together, left) was escorted by his supporters to a waiting car on Thursday evening, after her husband was sentenced. Greiss was among the crowd
Greiss has separately pleaded not guilty to charges of stalking or intimidating and breaching an AVO against a woman, in a case that will return to court later this year.
Greiss is a friend of Daniel Son – a man Hayne describes as his ‘bruv’. Just prior to Hayne’s sentencing, Son posted an Instagram photo in support of Hayne.
Son said he was ‘grateful’ to hang with the celebrated fullback and footballer Corey Norman.
‘People will always have their opinion, but nothing will ever break the BROTHERHOOD,’ Son said.
The revelation of Greiss’s identity comes as Hayne’s lawyers took their first step in appealing Judge Helen Syme’s sentence on Friday.
Hayne’s solicitors filed a notice of intention of appeal to the court challenging his sexual assault conviction.
Hayne’s ‘bruv’ Daniel Son (left) posted in support of Hayne and ‘the brotherhood’ prior to his sentencing. Son is a close associate of Greiss
Meanwhile, Hayne supporter Tony Williams was sacked from his role with an American rugby league team on Friday after he too penned a message of support for Hayne.
‘Fn dogs,’ Williams wrote on his Instagram story overnight. ‘To all Haynsy’s family and friends stay strong for him and let God do he’s (sic) thing I love you all … God always prevails.
‘Before I let this be just want to congratulate the victim and the so called justice system you’ve sent an innocent brotherly to jail away from he’s (sic) kids you bunch of flops … that’s all respectively.’
The New York Freedom rugby league side terminated Williams’ contract shortly after the remarks were published.
‘In light of comments made by Tony Williams regarding the sentencing of Jarryd Hayne, New York Freedom can confirm that the contract between Tony and the club has been terminated,’ a statement said.
The alleged spitting incident occurred in the same afternoon that confronting scenes erupted outside Newcastle District Court, after Hayne was jailed.
Hayne’s supporters jostled with corrections officers and members of the media after the former NRL star was jailed
In wild scenes outside the court, rowdy supporters pushed waiting cameramen away from the star’s wife
Scuffles broke out between some of Hayne’s supporters and the waiting press. It is not suggested Greiss was involved.
The group of supporters shielded the exit of the courthouse with umbrellas and were reportedly spoken to by sheriffs shortly after.
Others formed a ring around Hayne’s pregnant wife Amellia Bonnici as she left court distraught and was whisked into a car.
Photographers and cameramen were pushed and shoved to keep them away from her.
‘Where the lady, where the lady? Let her get into the car!’ one supporter can be heard yelling.
Another was captured covering a television camera with his hand.
Detectives commended the young victim after the verdict. ‘She should hold her head up high,’ Detective Inspector Eugene Stek told reporters.
‘She’s an inspirational young woman and I hope other women can draw inspiration from her or whoever and have the confidence to come to police.’
Hayne spent his first night overnight in the privately-run Parklea Prison.
He was strip-searched, showered, and issued with bottle green clothing, bedding and basic toiletries.
His new neighbours include killers, other rapists, bikies and paedophiles. Accused murderer Dennis Pietrobon took his own life last month at Parklea.