Ched Evans wins appeal against rape conviction but faces retrial

Former Sheffield United footballer spent two-and-a-half years in jail after his 2012 conviction for raping 19-year-old woman.

Evans, 27, who 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, said he was “extremely grateful” for the ruling.
On Thursday the court of appeal quashed the conviction after fresh evidence emerged. Details cannot be reported for legal reasons.


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

“In summary, we have concluded that we must allow the appeal and that it is in the interests of justice to order a retrial.”

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

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

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 in March from Kieran Vaughan QC, for Evans, and from Eleanor Laws QC, for the crown. Evans was charged with rape on 26 July 2011. He is alleged to have raped a 19-year-old girl at the Premier Inn in Rhyl on 31 May 2011.