Footballer Ched Evans has been found not guilty of rape at Cardiff Crown Court, following a re-trial.
On Friday 14 October 2016, the jury returned a not guilty verdict, which came after an original guilty verdict four years ago was quashed by the Court of Appeal in April 2016.
Judy Khan QC and David Emanuel of the Garden Court Chambers Crime Team defended Ched Evans at the re-trial, instructed by Shaun Draycott of Draycott Browne.
Kieran Vaughan QC and David Emanuel of Garden Court Chambers represented Ched Evans at the Court of Appeal.
Outside Cardiff Crown Court today, Shaun Draycott read out a statement on behalf of Ched Evans:
“In the early hours of 30th May 2011 an incident occurred in North Wales that was to change my life and the lives of others for ever. That incident did not involve the commission of a criminal offence and today I am overwhelmed with relief that the Jury agreed.
I would like to thank my legal team, Judy Khan QC and David Emanuel of Garden Court Chambers, London and Shaun Draycott of Draycott Browne Solicitors, Manchester, for their tireless efforts upon my behalf.
Thanks go, too, to my friends and family; most notably my fiancée, Natasha, who chose, perhaps incredibly, to support me in my darkest hour.
Whilst my innocence has now been established, I wish to make it clear that I wholeheartedly apologise to anyone who might have been affected by the events of the night in question”.
View the statement outside court on Sky News. This case has received widespread media coverage including on the BBC and Sky News.
