Jarryd Hayne's sexual assault victim has spoken of nightmares in flashbacks in court ahead of his sentencing.
The victim impact statement was read in front of him, his wife and dozens of his supporters at Newcastle Local Court.
READ MORE: The places in NSW where reports of sexual assault have surged
"Nothing I say will ever explain my feelings inside but I can only try or I might regret it for the rest of my life," she said.
"I have spent countless hours crying, the feeling of violation and feeling dirty doesn't go away.
"I have nightmares and flashbacks of his face looking right through me. Sometimes I can't get out of bed."
Hayne met the woman on Instagram before he stopped his taxi at her home on the way back to Sydney from a buck's weekend on NRL grand final day in 2018.
He then sexually assaulted her, leaving her bleeding heavily.
Hayne, 33, was a superstar in the NRL, playing for Parramatta Eels and briefly for the Gold Coast Titans.
He then made a failed attempt to switch to professional American football, then very briefly in rugby union sevens.
His former Parramatta teammate Tim Mannah then addressed the court to give a reference for his best friend.
Mannah said he noticed a change in Hayne's behaviour after he attended a Bible college in Perth.
He said you can't have a five-minute conversation with Hayne "without him talking about something from the Bible".
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
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