Ched Evans has rape conviction quashed by Court of Appeal but will face a retrial

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Footballer Ched Evans today won his appeal against his conviction for raping a 19-year-old woman — but was told he must face a fresh trial.

The former Sheffield United striker and Wales international, 27, was convicted in 2012 and served two and a half years of a five-year prison sentence before being released on licence.

Today he was present in a packed London court with girlfriend Natasha Massey by his side to hear the result of his conviction challenge.

Three Court of Appeal judges announced their decision after hearing two days of appeal submissions last month.

Conviction quashed: Ched Evans with girlfriend Natasha Massey 
Rex

Evans, who has always protested his innocence, claimed to have new evidence that put his conviction in doubt.

Lady Justice Hallett, Mr Justice Flaux, and Sir David Maddison delivered the ruling and a retrial date will be set soon. Evans is accused of raping the teenager at a Premier Inn at Rhyl, North Wales, in May 2011. His conviction at trial in April 2012 was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which probes possible miscarriages of justice.

An order made by the three judges at the start of the appeal bans reporting of any details of the legal argument relating to fresh evidence in the case to avoid prejudicing the retrial.

Lady Justice Hallett, announcing the court’s decision, said the judges had heard “fresh evidence” during the appeal hearing on March 22 and 23.

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 Evans’s conviction and declared: “The appellant will be retried on the allegation of rape.”

The player had held hopes of playing in the Euro 2016 tournament but the decision to go for a retrial will rule him out of selection for Wales. Evans has not been signed by a club since his release from jail.

His family today issued a statement saying: “We all welcome the decision by the Court of Appeal.

“The evidence which had been previously unseen proved without doubt that Ched Evans is and has always been innocent.

“Ched would like to thank all of his family, friends, legal team and football supporters from around the country, especially those of Sheffield United, for their support, encouragement and belief.

“Today’s decision and the whole process could not have been possible without the unconditional love, belief and support of Natasha and both families. However, there are no winners and no celebration.”

About 20 members of the footballer’s family attended the hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice.

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