Rape accused footy star Jarryd Hayne tries to become a better Christian and begs court to allow him to attend religious self-help classes
- Jarryd Hayne has asked court's permission to attend religious self-help classes
- On Wednesday, his lawyer asked a Newcastle magistrate for two bail variations
- In 2015 Hayne said that he was 'the worst Christian he knew' on social media
- Six month course will see him sleep in all-male dormitory and 'experience God'
Former rugby league star Jarryd Hayne has been granted permission to attend a Christian education course as he fights accusations he raped a woman in NSW.
Hayne, who twice won the Dally M as the NRL's best player, was present on Wednesday as his lawyer asked a Newcastle magistrate for two bail variations.
Magistrate Robert Stone was told Hayne was seeking to modify his bail conditions to allow him to attend a residential education course in Perth, The Australian reported.
Former rugby league star Jarryd Hayne (pictured) arrives at a Newcastle court on Wednesday, before his lawyer asked the magistrate for two bail variations
Hayne (pictured), who twice won the Dally M as the NRL's best player, was present on Wednesday as his lawyer asked a Newcastle magistrate for two bail variations
His barrister barrister Richard Pontello told the court Hayne wished to attend a six month 'discipleship' training course at the Youth With a Mission Centre.
While on the course Hayne will sleep in a male-only dormitory a short distance away from where classes are held.
The course has two parts - lecture phase and 'outreach phase' - although it is not clear if or in what capacity Hayne will be completing the second part.
As part of the bail change application, Mr Stone was provided two letters from the school, which refers to the course as 'six months of personally experiencing God'.
While police prosecutors opposed the bail changes, magistrate Robert Stone approved the application due to Hayne adhering to earlier bail conditions.
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Magistrate Stone told the court Hayne's enrollment would continue to mitigate 'the risk of safety to the community' and 'the risk of there being any non appearance'.
As part of his strict bail conditions, Hayne is not allowed to drink alcohol - which the Christian school prohibits - and truancy is to be reported to the Newcastle DPP.
Hayne's passport has also been surrendered.
Youth With a Mission Perth training director, Caleb Brownhill, said he was aware of Hayne had intended on attending the school.
Haynes (pictured) faces two counts of aggravated sexual assault against a woman in the NSW Hunter Valley in 2018
'This course develops participants in their personal understanding of God and relationship with Him as well as core concepts of missions and processes of evangelism,' Mr Brownhill said.
In 2015 Hayne, a devout Christian, tweeted: 'I'm the worst Christian I know but still gods favour reins over my life. Why, I;m not sure but I love.'
Haynes faces two counts of aggravated sexual assault against a woman in the NSW Hunter Valley in 2018.
He was committed to trial, however prosecutors told the court they don’t expect to be ready to begin the trial before September 2020.
Haynes is due to appear for an arraignment on July 25.
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