Evans rape case review ordered

Ched Evans

FOOTBALLER Ched Evans’ conviction for raping a 19-year-old woman is to be reviewed by leading judges on March 22.

The former Sheffield United and Wales footballer caused a storm of publicity when he almost signed for Oldham Athletic in January 2015.

His case has been referred to the Court of Appeal in London by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which investigates possible miscarriages of justice. The CCRC announced last October new evidence had emerged.

Evans was convicted in April 2012, after being found guilty at Caernarfon Crown Court of raping the woman at a hotel in Rhyl. He was released from prison in 2014 after serving half his five-year sentence.

Court of Appeal judges will now consider the safety of his conviction. The referral to them followed a 10-month investigation by the commission.

Evans previously lost his case at the Court of Appeal in 2012. He has always maintained his innocence but his attempts to restart his career with Latics collapsed in the face of a public outcry.

It sparked fury throughout the country with almost 70,000 petitioners declaring their opposition to any deal.

A stream of sponsors also declared their intention to withdraw support for the club. The pressure mounted on the Latics board and the deal between Evans and the club collapsed, with the striker blaming “mob rule”.