Former Sheffield United striker is hoping his fast-tracked appeal could be heard this summer as he bids to end his exile from football
The former Sheffield United striker is keen to end his exile from the game.
His future hinges on whether the Criminal Cases Review Commission grants his application to appeal, which has been 'fast tracked' as he attempts to find a new club.
Evans' claims of 'new evidence' in his case are being considered by CCRC experts.
He is hoping for the chance to start full-time training again if an appeal date is set.
 |
| Ched Evans with girlfriend Natasha Massey at her parents home in Alderley Edge, Cheshire |
The CCRC has made it clear that his victim will be told any decision first.
They are keen to avoid her hearing anything via social media, so she will be told before Evans.
Once she has been informed, he and his legal team will be notified. A CCRC spokesman said: "We must make sure that the victim in any case does not find out a decision through the media.
"It is out of courtesy so victims are not confronted by a massive news story. We will notify the victim first of the decision, then the claimant."
The CCRC code states they must inform victims of the final decision if the victim has already been made aware of their review, unless they have expressly asked not to be informed.
Evans' victim was named via social media following his conviction in 2011, and again when he was released from prison last year.
Attorney General Jeremy Wright QC is investigating the footballer's official web site following a complaint from the father of Evans' victim in relation to postings on the site.
The devastated dad believes some of the material, including video images of his daughter going into the hotel where the rape was committed, should not have been made public.
Attempts by Evans, who is also a Welsh international, to return to the professional game have prompted widespread protests which led to Sheffield United and Oldham Athletic shelving plans to sign the player.
Evans's application is being considered as experts sift through evidence to decide whether the conviction should be referred back to the Court of Appeal as potentially unsafe.
A statement on Evans' official web site told his followers:"The application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission on behalf of Ched Evans was submitted on 15 July 2014 and was given Level 1 priority in September 2014.
"On Friday January 23, 2015 further detailed submissions, supported by previously unavailable fresh evidence that we believe strengthens Ched's application, were lodged with the Commission."
The web site is run by Karl Massey, the father of Evans's fiancee Natasha Massey who has stood by him despite the rape conviction.
Source: Mirror.co.uk
