A bible college in Perth, Western Australia has defended the right to admit Jarryd Hayne to its campus while facing rape charges.
Hayne was jailed for five years and nine months on Thursday having been found guilty of sexual assault in March.
The assault took place in 2018, the night of the NRL grand final.
'Youth Without A Mission' director, Shirley Brownhill, defended the decision to allow Hayne to take a 'discipleship course' while facing charges.
“Before his arrival in July 2019, we treated Mr Hayne the same way that the law does — innocent until proven guilty,” Ms Brownhill said in a statement to The West Australian.
“Prior to his commencement in the course, we did everything in our power to inform staff and students and gain their feedback regarding Mr Hayne’s participation in the course.”
“Based on the advice of the New South Wales courts and upholding the strict conditions of his bail, we took every precaution to ensure the safety of all involved.
“During his three months with us, Mr Hayne was on a faith journey and conducted himself appropriately with all staff and students.
“We accept and uphold the verdict of the courts and continue to pray for the victim and those impacted.”
Jarryd Hayne
Judge Helen Syme elucidated the reasons behind Hayne's sentence on Thursday, carried out at a court in Newcastle, New South Wales.
"She (the victim) has every right to feel safe from attack in the privacy of her home,' the judge said.
'The fact is she said no to the sexual activity the offender was forcing on her. The offender was fully aware the victim was not consenting and went ahead anyway.
"I do not accept that he was not aware she was trying to push him away and physically resisting him.
"I do not accept the offender did not know or did not hear the victim telling him she did not want to have sex with him."
Judge Syme said she believed that the attack did not stop because of Hayne's desire to do so but because he noticed the victim was bleeding.
"He stopped not because she said to, but because he noticed the blood,' she said.
"He didn't stop because he thought what he was doing is wrong, and he's never accepted this."
Hayne is best known for his association with NRL club Parramatta Eels, before moving to the San Francisco 49ers NFL franchise.
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