Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne will face a third sexual assault trial after his conviction was quashed on appeal last month.
The ex-Parramatta Eels player spent nine months behind bars after being found guilty by a jury of sexually assaulting a woman on the night of the 2018 NRL grand final.
This was his second trial on two counts of sexual assault, with the first resulting in a hung jury in late 2020.
But the 34-year-old was released from Cooma Correctional Centre on bail last month, when his conviction was quashed in the Supreme Court.
There was speculation whether the Department of Public Prosecutions would proceed with a third trial, considering multiple factors including the cost and further stress on the alleged victim.
But NSW Director of Public Prosecutions Sally Dowling SC ultimately decided to proceed with a third trial against Mr Hayne, her office confirmed this morning.
His lawyers are expected to make an application for the trial to be heard in Newcastle.
Mr Hayne has maintained his innocence, claiming the sexual acts in the Newcastle woman’s home were consensual.
The next hearing will be on March 21.
