Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne will face a retrial next year, after the Crown decided it will pursue a prosecution against him in relation to an alleged rape.
Last week, a jury of eight men and four women in the Newcastle District Court said it was deadlocked and in dispute over the guilt or innocence of Mr Hayne on two charges of aggravated sexual assault.
The alleged offences against a 26-year-old Newcastle woman were said to have occurred in the woman’s home on NRL grand final night in 2018
Mr Hayne, 32, who played for the Parramatta Eels, had pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The jury, which had listened to evidence for two weeks, failed to arrive at a unanimous verdict and was given a second chance by Judge Peter Whitford to reach a majority verdict, but could not do that either.
It was then discharged.
Today, Crown prosecutor Brian Costello confirmed there would be a new trial.
Judge Tim Gartelmann set the case down for a retrial in Sydney on March 8 next year with a readiness hearing on January 29.
Mr Hayne is on bail.
