Ched Evans rape case: appeal lodged against conviction

Footballer Ched Evans was jailed for five years

Footballer Ched Evans has lodged an appeal against his conviction for rape, the Court of Appeal has confirmed.

The Wales and former-Sheffield United striker was jailed for five years in April for raping a 19-year-old woman at a hotel near Rhyl, Denbighshire.

His legal team said then that the 23-year-old maintained his innocence.

A court spokesperson said they had received papers for an application to appeal against conviction and sentence. No hearing dates have yet been set.

During his trial at Caernarfon Crown Court, Evans admitted having sex with the victim at a Premier Inn in May 2011 but said it was consensual.

The woman, now aged 20, said she had no memory of the incident and the prosecution successfully argued she was too drunk to consent to intercourse.

Since the footballer's conviction, police have made 17 arrests over the alleged naming of the victim on Twitter.

Officers also interviewed staff from Sky News after the channel briefly broadcast the woman's name.