A woman who was sexually assaulted by former NRL player Jarryd Hayne feels she's lived "a never-ending nightmare" for years and still has no sense of peace in her life, a Sydney court has heard.
Last month a jury found Hayne guilty of two counts of sexual intercourse without consent and the 35-year-old has been in custody since his bail was refused.
The Supreme Court has heard a jail sentence is inevitable.
Hayne's charges reflected two forms of sexual activity — oral and digital penetration — which lasted for about 30 seconds despite the complainant saying "no" and "stop", the court heard.
During a sentencing hearing on Monday, an impact statement written by the victim was read out loud by Crown Prosecutor John Sfinas.
"From 30 September 2018, my life has been launched into what feels like a never-ending nightmare," the statement said.
"To this day, I still have not been able to move on or feel any sense of peace in my life."
The woman made reference to media coverage of the case and comments on social media, saying they were "extremely difficult to handle".
"Those types of things don't just hurt, but they stay with me."
She said the sexual assault had been damaging mentally, physically and socially, reflecting on how she once felt like she had "the world at her feet".
"I am stronger and I am wiser, but I am damaged and I won't ever be the same person."
Hayne's barrister, Margaret Cunneen SC, told the judge there was an important context to consider in the case.
"The context was an unambiguous and mutual sexual context leading up to the visit," she said.
Ms Cunneen said in that context, messages between the pair before the meeting reflected an "urging" of Hayne.
She said the context and nature of the sexual offences were relevant as matters which tended towards "less seriousness".
The assaults took place on NRL grand final night in 2018 after the victim invited Hayne to the house she shared with her mother.
He had been in Newcastle for a friend's bucks party and caught a taxi to the woman's home on the city's outskirts on his way back to Sydney.
Hayne insists the activity was consensual and an injury to the woman's genitals, which caused her to bleed, was accidental.
Ms Cunneen said Hayne has faced onerous conditions in jail due to being in isolation, where he was only allowed out of his cell for 15 to 20 minutes each day.
"He can't even get a haircut because he's not allowed to mix with anyone," she said.
The barrister told the judge he'd suffered the loss of "an extremely lucrative contract" and was "publicly vilified" at each criminal justice milestone.
She said there was no risk of repeat offences and Hayne now had a steady, dependable, loving relationship and cohesive family unit.
Mr Sfinas said the context of the pair's pre-meeting messages was not relevant, arguing there was an unambiguous lack of consent when they finally met.
He also pointed to the "imposing" size differential between the two and Hayne's "distinct phases of force", including attempting to kiss the woman and pushing her down.
Judge Graham Turnbull will sentence Hayne on Friday.
This was the third time the ex-footballer faced trial over the assault.
The first trial in late 2020 resulted in a hung jury and although Hayne was found guilty in the second trial, he successfully appealed the verdict.
Prior to the appeal, he'd been sentenced to five years and nine months in prison.
