Father-of-one Mina Greiss has been identified by police as the man accused of spitting at a rape victim outside Jarryd Hayne’s sentencing on Thursday
The tattooed Jarryd Hayne supporter accused of spitting at a rape victim as she left court is a father-of-one who is on bail for a stalking offence.
Mina Greiss, 38, from Mount Druitt in Sydney’s west, is the alleged ‘grub’ accused of spitting as the brave woman was escorted out of Newcastle court on Thursday evening.
The incident came shortly after the young woman delivered a powerful victim impact statement in front of her rapist.
Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal that police have identified Greiss as the bearded man in the plain shirt who is at the centre of a social media storm.
The tattooed man was among a large scrum of supporters accompanying Hayne and his wife Amellia Bonnici on the day he was jailed for five years and nine months. Greiss was pinpointed after investigators pored through CCTV vision from the courthouse and online evidence.
Greiss travelled from his humble unit in the city’s greater west especially for the sentencing. However it is understood NSW Police investigators do not believe Greiss was spitting toward the victim, but possibly news reporters.
NSW Police officers investigating the case do not believe Greiss (above) was deliberately targeting the victim with the alleged action, but possibly television reporters
Hayne’s wife Amellia Bonnici (together, left) was escorted by his supporters to a waiting car on Thursday evening, after her husband was sentenced. Greiss was among the crowd
Greiss has separately pleaded not guilty to charges of stalking or intimidating and breaching an AVO against a woman and the case is before the courts.
Daily Mail Australia has learned that Greiss is a close friend of Daniel Son – a man Hayne describes as his ‘bruv’.
Son posted an Instagram photo in support of Hayne, just prior to his sentencing, saying he was ‘grateful’ to hang with him and Corey Norman.
‘People will always have their opinion, but nothing will ever break the BROTHERHOOD,’ Son said.
The revelation of Greiss’s identity comes as Hayne’s lawyers took their first step in appealing Judge Helen Syme’s sentence on Friday.
Hayne’s solicitors filed a ‘notice of intention of appeal’ to the court and are expected to challenge both his conviction and jail sentence.
Hayne’s ‘bruv’ Daniel Son (left) posted in support of Hayne and ‘the brotherhood’ prior to his sentencing. Son is a close associate of Greiss
Meanwhile, Hayne supporter Tony Williams was sacked from his role with an American rugby league team on Friday after penning a message of support for Hayne.
‘Fn dogs,’ Williams wrote on his Instagram story overnight.
‘To all Haynsy’s family and friends stay strong for him and let God do he’s (sic) thing I love you all … God always prevails.
‘Before I let this be just want to congratulate the victim and the so called justice system you’ve sent an innocent brotherly to jail away from he’s (sic) kids you bunch of flops … that’s all respectively.’
The New York Freedom rugby league side terminated Williams’ contract after Williams made the remarks.
‘In light of comments made by Tony Williams regarding the sentencing of Jarryd Hayne, New York Freedom can confirm that the contract between Tony and the club has been terminated,’ a statement said.
Hayne’s supporters jostled with corrections officers and members of the media after the former NRL star was jailed
In wild scenes outside the court, rowdy supporters pushed waiting cameramen away from the star’s wife
Confronting scenes erupted outside the Newcastle District Court after Hayne’s sentence was handed down on Thursday evening.
Scuffles broke out between his supporters and the waiting press. It is not suggested Greiss was involved in that whatsoever.
Hayne’s supporters shielded the exit of the courthouse with umbrellas and were reportedly spoken to by sheriffs shortly after.
Others formed a ring around Hayne’s pregnant wife Amellia Bonnici as she left court distraught and was whisked into a car, pushing and shoving photographers to keep them away from her.
‘Where the lady, where the lady? Let her get into the car!’ one supporter can be heard yelling.
Another was captured covering a television camera with his hand.
Detectives commended the young victim after the verdict.
‘She should hold her head up high,’ Detective Inspector Eugene Stek said.
‘She’s an inspirational young woman and I hope other women can draw inspiration from her or whoever and have the confidence to come to police.’
Hayne spent his first night overnight in Parklea Prison.
