Prison inmates take aim at former NRL star Jarryd Hayne

Jarryd Hayne before being sentenced. Photo / Getty

Jarryd Hayne's life in prison has started on a rough note.

The Sunday Telegraph reports fellow inmates pelted the disgraced former NRL star with apples after being moved into a yard at Parklea, following his sentencing last week.

A source said prisoners began throwing fruit at Hayne when they recognised the ex-Parramatta player, telling the publication: "All the crims threw their apples at him.

"Hayne was put in a little yard which the clinic uses — far enough away from others, but still easy for other wings to see him, and know it's him," the source said.

Hayne was jailed on May 6 for raping a woman in her Newcastle home in September 2018, after being found guilty by a jury in March of the sexual assault of the then 26-year-old.

The former NSW Origin star was sentenced to five years and nine months jail with a non-parole period of three years and eight months. He will be eligible for release in January 2025.

Hayne was found guilty of two charges of sexual assault but soon launched an appeal against his conviction.

Hayne took the stand 10 days ago where he continued to deny that he performed oral and digital sex on the woman without her consent.

Outside court on the day of his sentencing, there were violent scenes as a group of Hayne's friends and family attempted to shield his wife.

Several of them waved umbrellas and formed a scrum around Amellia Bonnici as she attempted to get into a waiting car. One photographer told NCA Newswire that he was punched in the back of the head and placed in a headlock.

NRL Commission chairman Peter V'landys says the league will look at stripping Hayne of his two Dally M Medal awards, which he won in 2009 and 2014 as the best player in the game — if the appeal is unsuccessful.

"No it's not hard to take them away but we don't want to prejudice the legal process," V'landys told 2GB Radio last week. "We'll consult the Parramatta club and we'll make a decision after that.

"We would like to see Jarryd exhaust his appeal process, once he's done that we'll make a decision.

"Naturally we'll consult the Parramatta club that he played with, but I think it's a bit early to be considering it."

V'landys revealed it had already been raised amongst the rugby league commission and there "absolutely" will be consideration if Hayne loses his appeal.

"Absolutely, yes, there will be consideration given and the Commission has already discussed it."

Two of Hayne's former teammates were dragged into his personal turmoil when they spoke out against the victim in "appalling" social media posts after his conviction.

Ex-NRL forward Tony Williams had his contract torn up by American club New York Freedom, while former Eels back Krisnan Inu was being investigated by UK club Salford over his Instagram comments.

Both players later backtracked and apologised for their words.

Hayne claimed he was on the verge of signing a $500,000 deal with NRL club St George before the club went cold when it emerged he had been charged with sexual assault. However, the Dragons rubbished that claim and said no offer was ever made.