[size=7]Ched Evans: Wales footballer's rape conviction quashed[/size]


Footballer Ched Evans has had his conviction for rape quashed at the Court of Appeal in London, but will face a new trial.
The ex-Wales international was jailed in 2012 for raping a 19-year-old at a Premier Inn near Rhyl, Denbighshire.
The former Sheffield United, Manchester City and Norwich player was released from jail in October 2014 after serving half of his five-year term.
Mr Evans, 27, has always denied raping the woman.

Speaking outside court Mr Evans's solicitor Shaun Draycott said: "Ched Evans is extremely grateful that the court of appeal has ruled that his conviction for rape was unsafe and should be quashed."
The striker's case was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which investigates possible miscarriages of justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, after new evidence emerged.
Lady Justice Hallett, Mr Justice Flaux and Sir David Maddison heard submissions over two days from Kieran Vaughan QC, for Mr Evans, and from Eleanor Laws QC, for the Crown.

Announcing the court's decision, Lady Justice Hallett said the judges heard "fresh evidence" during the appeal hearing on 22 and 23 March.
She said: "In summary, we have concluded that we must allow the appeal and that it is in the interests of justice to order a retrial."
The court quashed Mr Evans's conviction and declared: "The appellant will be retried on the allegation of rape."

Mr Evans and former Port Vale player Clayton McDonald admitted having sex with the woman on 30 May 2011, but said it was consensual.
Mr McDonald was acquitted of rape at their trial at Caernarfon Crown Court.
Mr Evans has not been signed by a new club since his release from prison.

[size=7]Ched Evans wins appeal against rape conviction but faces retrial[/size]


Former Sheffield United footballer Ched Evans has won an appeal against his conviction for rape and faces a retrial.

Evans, now 27, spent two-and-a-half years in jail after he was convicted in 2012 of raping a 19-year-old in a hotel in north Wales.

But three appeal judges on Thursday quashed the conviction after fresh evidence emerged. Details can not be reported for legal reasons.

Ahead of the ruling the prosecution had said it would seek an immediate retrial if Evans won his appeal.

Evans made no reaction when the ruling was made but was seen hugging relatives in the corridor outside the courtroom.

Lady Justice Hallett told the court: “On 22 and 23 March we heard argument and we heard the fresh evidence.”

She went on: “In summary, we have concluded that we must allow the appeal and that it is in the interests of justice to order a re-trial.”

Hallett said Evans must be retried on an allegation of rape and be re-arraigned on a fresh indictment within two months.

The former Sheffield United striker and Welsh international was present at the London court with his girlfriend, Natasha Massey.

Sitting at the court of appeal in central London, Hallett, Mr Justice Flaux and Sir David Maddison heard submissions over two days from Kieran Vaughan QC, for Evans, and from Eleanor Laws QC, for the crown.

Outside court after the ruling, Evans’s solicitor, Shaun Draycott, said: “Ched Evans is extremely grateful that the court of appeal has ruled that his conviction for rape was unsafe and should be quashed.”

He thanked his lawyers, family, friends and partner on behalf of his client. “No further statement will be made as it is acknowledged by Mr Evans that the legal process has not reached a final conclusion and there will be further hearings of significance on dates to be fixed in due course.”

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