Date set for Ched Evans' court appeal

Former Blades player Ched Evans' appeal against his rape conviction will be heard in court in March.

Published 2nd Mar 2016

Former Sheffield United player Ched Evans' appeal against his rape conviction will be heard in court later this month.

His case was referred to the Court of Appeal last October by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

At the time its chair, Richard Foster, said:

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"The decision of the Commission is not a judgment on guilt of innocence in relation to Ched Evans, nor is it a judgment about the honesty or integrity of the victim or any other person involved in the case.

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"Our role is to consider applications to see if, in our judgment, there is any basis on which to ask the court to hear a fresh appeal - that is our statutory responsibility.

"In this case we have identified new material which was not considered by the jury at trial and which in our view might have assisted the defence. In those circumstances, it is right and proper for the matter to be before the Court so that they can decide whether or not the new information should affect the verdict in this case."

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The Court of Appeal will decide whether to overturn or uphold the original verdict or order a re-trial.

It's due to take place in London on the 22nd March.

Evans was convicted of rape in April 2012 and sentenced to five years in prison.