Former Sheffield United striker Ched Evans has won his appeal filed last month to have his rape conviction quashed today, but is set for a re-trial.
The former Welsh international who has served half of his 5 year jail term was convicted by a Caernarfon Crown Court in April 2012 of raping a 19-year old girl in a hotel in Rhyl, North Wales, in 2011 and released in October 2014.
The case was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which investigates possible miscarriages of justice and it was announced last October that a new evidence had emerged in the case.
Lady Justice Hallett announced this decision on Thursday and said the judges heard fresh evidence on March 22 and 23 during the appeal.
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 re-trial. The appellant will be re-tried on the allegation of rape.”
The convict, yet to play professionally since his release, had his girlfriend Natasha Massey by his side in the packed courtroom.
In a statement, released on his website, Ched Evans thanked his lawyers, Kieran Vaughan QC and David Emanuel of Garden Court Chambers, London; Shaun Draycott of Draycott Browne Solicitors, Manchester; and Liberton Investigations. In addition, he thanked his girlfriend, family, friends and stated that:
“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.”
His family after the ruling also said: “We all welcome today’s 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.”
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