Jarryd Hayne was ‘seen with blood on his hands’ after alleged assault, court hears

Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne is alleged to have performed oral sex and digitally penetrated a woman who said ‘no and stop’, leaving her bleeding as a taxi waited for him outside, a court has been told.

The former footy legend, 35, arrived at Sydney District Court flanked by his wife Amelia Bonnici on Monday morning as his sexual assault trial began.

Mr Hayne has denied sexually assaulting the woman at her home in Fletcher, on Newcastle’s outskirts, in September 2018, on the night of the NRL grand final.

He has persistently maintained his innocence, claiming he engaged in consensual sexual acts and has pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual intercourse without consent.

A total of 14 jurors were selected from a group of about 50 people, who Judge Graham Turnbull warned about extensive media coverage of the matter prior to Monday.

The jury panel was told Mr Hayne had gained notoriety from his sporting achievements, but the jury must not approach the matter if they have ‘jumped to conclusions’.

‘Familiarity with a sport may incline one to unfounded but instinctive conclusions,’ Judge Turnbull told the jury panel.

‘The jury must concentrate on the evidence, the evidence in this trial alone.’

In his summary to the jury panel, Crown prosecutor John Sfinas told the court Mr Hayne allegedly performed ‘cunnilingus and digital penetration’ on the woman’s vagina without her consent, which led to bleeding.

‘You will hear the complainant and the accused had never actually met,’ Mr Sfinas told the court.

Mr Sfinas told the jury panel that contact was instigated by the alleged victim on Instagram and they messaged for two weeks on Instagram and Snapchat.

The court was told Mr Hayne was in Newcastle on the weekend of 29 and 30 September to attend a bucks weekend, while the pair were trying to arrange a meeting.

‘You will hear the accused arrived at the complainant’s home in a taxi that he made wait for him,’ Mr Sfinas said.

‘The complainant didn’t know this taxi was waiting until she heard beeping.’

Mr Sfinas told the jury the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told Mr Hayne ‘no’ and ‘stop’ when the sexual act commenced.

He said the cunnilingus and digital penetration lasted around 30 seconds before it stopped as she was bleeding.

‘I anticipate you will hear he left the premises after cleaning blood from his hands and mouth,’ Mr Sfinas said.

Mr Sfinas is expected to give a detailed opening to the jury later on Monday.

The trial continues before Judge Graham Turnbull.