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Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne has walked free from prison on bail, after his sexual assault convictions were yesterday quashed.
- Mr Hayne has already had two trials
- His first ended in a hung jury and he was convicted at the second
- His third trial, if it goes ahead, will likely take place later this year
The 34-year-old has been in jail for nine months, after being found guilty last year.
His lawyers successfully applied for bail in the District Court this morning, and he was released from Cooma Correctional Centre, in NSW's Snowy Mountains, about five hours later.
Yesterday, the Court of Criminal Appeal quashed Mr Hayne's convictions over an alleged sexual assault in 2018 and ordered a retrial.
Last year, he was handed a sentence of five years and nine months behind bars, which he appealed immediately.
Yesterday the appeal judges upheld two arguments from Mr Hayne's lawyers: that the trial judge had erred in her directions to the jury and that evidence by the complainant was inconsistent.
He sought an acquittal but the court ruled he must face a third trial.
His first trial ended in a hung jury and he was convicted at his second trial.
Judge Christopher O'Brien granted Mr Hayne bail this morning but imposed strict conditions, including a $20,000 surety.
He must reside with his wife, report to Merrylands Police Station three times a week, surrender his passport and stay out of the Newcastle local government area, where his alleged offending took place.
Mr Hayne appeared via video link from Cooma jail dressed in prison greens and thongs and did not react when his bail was approved.
A hearing will be held on Friday to fix the trial date which Justice O'Brien said could potentially be in October this year.
It will likely run for two to three weeks.
The charges against Mr Hayne related to the night of the NRL grand final in 2018.
He had been exchanging messages with a woman for 13 days but the night in question was the first time they had met in person.
Mr Hayne had been celebrating a two-day buck's weekend and was on his way back to Sydney when he stopped at the woman's house.
Mr Hayne has always claimed the sexual encounter was consensual but the complainant, who was then 26, said she was "shocked and scared" and was left with injuries.
Medical experts have previously said the injuries could not imply whether consent was given.
Mr Hayne has maintained the injury the woman sustained was accidental and he stopped when he noticed blood.
During his sentencing last year, Judge Helen Syme said Mr Hayne was "fully aware" the woman was not consenting and the force he used meant she had no prospect of stopping him.