‘Shocking and disappointing’ reaction to Jarryd Hayne sentence as fans show support

While many Australians were pleased to see Jarryd Hayne’s sentence, it exposed an underbelly of society being labelled as “disgusting”.

News.com.au reports that people on social media labelled the support as the “problem with sports mad Australia”, telling them to “wake up” and stop condoning such behaviour.

Some said the former NRL star should have been given a 10-year minimum sentence, saying what he got was “far too lenient”.

Hayne’s dramatic fall from stardom and grace was completed yesterday afternoon as the ex-superstar of Australian sport was jailed for a maximum term of five years and nine months, at least three years and eight months of this is without parole.

Hayne was found guilty for sexually assaulting a woman in her Newcastle home.

The 33-year-old had been found guilty of two counts of sexual intercourse without consent. He was found not guilty of the more serious charges of aggravated sexual intercourse without consent, recklessly inflicting actual bodily harm.

Many online criticised the media for calling Hayne a former NRL star rather than a convicted rapist when news of the sentencing broke.