.Former Sheffield United striker was convicted of raping 19-year-old in 2012
- .After serving prison term he has denied his guilt and mounted an appeal
- .Three senior judges have now quashed the rape conviction as 'unsafe'
- .They have ordered a retrial of the case at a Crown Court later this year
- .Evans thanked his girlfriend for her 'unconditional love, belief and support'
Ched Evans's conviction for raping a 19-year-old woman has been quashed today - but he now faces a fresh trial.
The footballer was found guilty in 2012 of raping the woman at a hotel in Rhyl, North Wales.
Lady Justice Hallett, one of the country's most senior women judges, announced she and two other judges were overturning the conviction today.
But she ordered that Evans face a retrial, for which the case will be sent back to a Crown Court.
The former Sheffield United player has been unable to find a new team since his release from prison - but those working with him may seek to convince a club to sign him following today's decision.
Ex-footballer Ched Evans emerges from London's appeal court today with his girlfriend Natasha Massey. He faces a retrial over a rape charge after his previous conviction was quashed
Evans later released a statement thanking Ms Massey for her 'unconditional love, belief and support'
Evans released a statement thanking his girlfriend Natasha Massey for her 'unconditional love, belief and support'.
His statement said: 'We all welcome today's decision by the Court of Appeal... however, there are no winners and no celebration.
'Ched would like to place on record his thanks to the judiciary for carrying out a detailed process, repaying his faith in the legal system.
Ched Evans's conviction for raping a 19-year-old woman has been quashed today - but he now faces a fresh trial.
The footballer was found guilty in 2012 of raping the woman at a hotel in Rhyl, North Wales.
Lady Justice Hallett, one of the country's most senior women judges, announced she and two other judges were overturning the conviction today.
But she ordered that Evans face a retrial, for which the case will be sent back to a Crown Court.
The former Sheffield United player has been unable to find a new team since his release from prison - but those working with him may seek to convince a club to sign him following today's decision.
Ex-footballer Ched Evans emerges from London's appeal court today with his girlfriend Natasha Massey. He faces a retrial over a rape charge after his previous conviction was quashed
Evans later released a statement thanking Ms Massey for her 'unconditional love, belief and support'
Evans released a statement thanking his girlfriend Natasha Massey for her 'unconditional love, belief and support'.
His statement said: 'We all welcome today's decision by the Court of Appeal... however, there are no winners and no celebration.
'Ched would like to place on record his thanks to the judiciary for carrying out a detailed process, repaying his faith in the legal system.
A shorter version of the statement was later posted stressing that 'the legal process has not reached a final conclusion'.
His statement came after Lady Justice Hallett said she and her fellow judges had heard 'fresh evidence' during the appeal hearing on March 22 and 23.
She said: '[Evans] appealed to this court against conviction... on the basis that relevant and admissible evidence has come to light, that was not available at trial, and that undermines the safety of his conviction.'
Evans' girlfriend Miss Massey entered the court alone this morning. Evans was in court with his family
Lady Justice Hallett announced Evans' conviction was quashed at London's Court of Appeal this morning
The judge added: 'In summary, we have concluded that we must allow the appeal and that it is in the interests of justice to order a retrial,' she continued.
A shorter version of the statement was later posted stressing that 'the legal process has not reached a final conclusion'.
His statement came after Lady Justice Hallett said she and her fellow judges had heard 'fresh evidence' during the appeal hearing on March 22 and 23.
She said: '[Evans] appealed to this court against conviction... on the basis that relevant and admissible evidence has come to light, that was not available at trial, and that undermines the safety of his conviction.'
Evans' girlfriend Miss Massey entered the court alone this morning. Evans was in court with his family
Lady Justice Hallett announced Evans' conviction was quashed at London's Court of Appeal this morning
The judge added: 'In summary, we have concluded that we must allow the appeal and that it is in the interests of justice to order a retrial,' she continued.
FULL STATEMENT RELEASED BY CHED EVANS TODAY
The court quashed Evans's conviction and declared: 'The appellant will be retried on the allegation of rape.'
Evans was granted bail while his new trial is arranged.
The former Sheffield United player has always denied his guilt. He was released from prison two years ago after serving half of his five-year sentence.
The ex Welsh international was present in the packed London courtroom with his girlfriend by his side to hear the result of his conviction challenge today.
Around 20 members of the 27-year-old's family were also in court to hear the ruling by the three appeal judges.
None of the group celebrated after the judges ruling was delivered and they all remained quiet.
At his trial, Evans insisted that he had consensual sex with the woman after a night out.
The prosecution said the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was too drunk to consent to sexual intercourse.
His conviction was referred to the Court of Appeal for review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which investigates possible miscarriages of justice.
Earlier this year, senior judges Lady Justice Hallett, Mr Justice Flaux and Sir David Maddison previously heard submissions from Evans' lawyers and the Crown over two days.
An order made by the three judges at the start of the appeal prevented reporting of the details of the legal argument relating to fresh evidence in the case.
Evans' lawyer said he is 'extremely grateful that the Court of Appeal has ruled that his conviction was unsafe'
Evans' girlfriend Natasha Massey has stood by him and accompanied him to the appeal court hearing last month. The couple now have a child together.
The footballer's career was effectively ended by his conviction, after a string of clubs refused to sign him following protests by fans.
Sheffield United, where the striker played for three years, allowed him to train using its facilities, but kicked him out again due to a public backlash, with some high-profile supporters threatening to boycott the club.
At Evans' trial, Port Vale defender Clayton McDonald, 23, who also admitted having sex with the victim, was found not guilty of the same charge.
The woman who was allegedly raped by Evans has been repeatedly targeted by social media trolls who have breached her legal right to anonymity.
Lady Justice Hallett made clear today that: 'The identity of the complainant in this case must not be reported.'
He and his girlfriend Miss Massey were later seen driving away from their home on their way to London
The court quashed Evans's conviction and declared: 'The appellant will be retried on the allegation of rape.'
Evans was granted bail while his new trial is arranged.
The former Sheffield United player has always denied his guilt. He was released from prison two years ago after serving half of his five-year sentence.
The ex Welsh international was present in the packed London courtroom with his girlfriend by his side to hear the result of his conviction challenge today.
Around 20 members of the 27-year-old's family were also in court to hear the ruling by the three appeal judges.
None of the group celebrated after the judges ruling was delivered and they all remained quiet.
At his trial, Evans insisted that he had consensual sex with the woman after a night out.
The prosecution said the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was too drunk to consent to sexual intercourse.
His conviction was referred to the Court of Appeal for review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which investigates possible miscarriages of justice.
Earlier this year, senior judges Lady Justice Hallett, Mr Justice Flaux and Sir David Maddison previously heard submissions from Evans' lawyers and the Crown over two days.
An order made by the three judges at the start of the appeal prevented reporting of the details of the legal argument relating to fresh evidence in the case.
Evans' lawyer said he is 'extremely grateful that the Court of Appeal has ruled that his conviction was unsafe'
Evans' girlfriend Natasha Massey has stood by him and accompanied him to the appeal court hearing last month. The couple now have a child together.
The footballer's career was effectively ended by his conviction, after a string of clubs refused to sign him following protests by fans.
Sheffield United, where the striker played for three years, allowed him to train using its facilities, but kicked him out again due to a public backlash, with some high-profile supporters threatening to boycott the club.
At Evans' trial, Port Vale defender Clayton McDonald, 23, who also admitted having sex with the victim, was found not guilty of the same charge.
The woman who was allegedly raped by Evans has been repeatedly targeted by social media trolls who have breached her legal right to anonymity.
Lady Justice Hallett made clear today that: 'The identity of the complainant in this case must not be reported.'
He and his girlfriend Miss Massey were later seen driving away from their home on their way to London
TIMELINE OF THE FOOTBALLER'S RAPE CASE: HOW HE CAME BEFORE COURT
May 30, 2011 - Evans, then a Sheffield United striker, is arrested on suspicion of sexual assault at a Premier Inn near Rhyl, north Wales.
April 20, 2012 - He is convicted of raping a 19-year-old woman and sentenced to five years in prison following a trial at Caernarfon Crown Court.
May 30, 2012 - Evans is released by Sheffield United at the end of the football season.
November 6, 2012 - The Court of Appeal refuses him leave to appeal his conviction or reduce the length of his sentence.
October 17, 2014 - Evans is released from prison after serving half of his sentence.
Evans, pictured (left) after his initial arrest and (right) during his days playing for Sheffield United
November 11, 2014 - Sheffield United faces a public backlash after saying it would let him train with them, an offer it later withdrew. TV presenter and club patron Charlie Webster quits and Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill demands her name be taken off the Bramall Lane stand in protest.
October 5, 2015 - Evans's case is referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Case Review Commission on the basis of new information after a 10-month investigation.
March 22, 2016 - The appeal hearing is held at the High Court in London.
April 21, 2016 - Evans wins appeal against conviction and is granted unconditional bail. Court of Appeal orders a fresh indictment 'must be served' and that 'the appellant must be re-arraigned on that fresh indictment within two months of today'. The venue of the retrial, the trial judge and the date of the retrial 'will be determined by the Senior Presiding Judge for the Wales Circuit', Mrs Justice Nicola Davies.
May 30, 2011 - Evans, then a Sheffield United striker, is arrested on suspicion of sexual assault at a Premier Inn near Rhyl, north Wales.
April 20, 2012 - He is convicted of raping a 19-year-old woman and sentenced to five years in prison following a trial at Caernarfon Crown Court.
May 30, 2012 - Evans is released by Sheffield United at the end of the football season.
November 6, 2012 - The Court of Appeal refuses him leave to appeal his conviction or reduce the length of his sentence.
October 17, 2014 - Evans is released from prison after serving half of his sentence.
Evans, pictured (left) after his initial arrest and (right) during his days playing for Sheffield United
November 11, 2014 - Sheffield United faces a public backlash after saying it would let him train with them, an offer it later withdrew. TV presenter and club patron Charlie Webster quits and Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill demands her name be taken off the Bramall Lane stand in protest.
October 5, 2015 - Evans's case is referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Case Review Commission on the basis of new information after a 10-month investigation.
March 22, 2016 - The appeal hearing is held at the High Court in London.
April 21, 2016 - Evans wins appeal against conviction and is granted unconditional bail. Court of Appeal orders a fresh indictment 'must be served' and that 'the appellant must be re-arraigned on that fresh indictment within two months of today'. The venue of the retrial, the trial judge and the date of the retrial 'will be determined by the Senior Presiding Judge for the Wales Circuit', Mrs Justice Nicola Davies.
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