Ched Evans Wins Appeal Against Rape Conviction, Retrial Ordered

Former Sheffield United footballer Ched Evans has won his appeal against his rape conviction and will be handed a retrial.

Dan Roan of BBC Sport passed on the details:

Per BBC, Evans was jailed in 2012 after he was found guilty of raping a 19-year-old girl before being released in 2014, having initially been scheduled to serve a five-year stint. The forward also played for Manchester City and Norwich City, in addition to representing Wales 13 times.

Sky News’ Paul Kelso posted the statement in full from Lady Justice Hallett on his Twitter feed:

Sky Sports News HQ captured Evans leaving court after the ruling:

Since walking out of prison in 2014, Evans has tried to find another football club. A petition totalling around 150,000 signatures encouraged the Blades not to re-sign him following his release, before the club eventually decided not to pursue that option, per Liz Day of Wales Online. Since leaving prison, Evans has been unable to find a club and has yet to play competitive football.

As reported by Jamie Grierson of the Guardian, the appeal was lodged after new evidence was discovered, although the basis of the plea made to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission cannot be legally disclosed.

Grierson added that ahead of the court date, the prosecution said they would push for an “immediate retrial” if the appeal was successful.