Rapist footballer Evans will learn appeal fate next week

Three Court of Appeal judges will announce their decision on Thursday April 21 following appeal proceedings last month.

The former Sheffield United striker and Welsh international was present at the London court for the hearing with girlfriend Natasha Massey by his side.

Lady Justice Hallett, Mr Justice Flaux and Sir David Maddison heard submissions over two days from Kieran Vaughan QC, for Evans, and from Eleanor Laws QC, for the Crown.

Evans, now 27, was convicted in April 2012. He was found guilty at Caernarfon Crown Court of raping the woman at a hotel in Rhyl, North Wales.

He was released from prison in 2014 after serving half of his five-year sentence.

His conviction was referred to the Court of Appeal for review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which investigates possible miscarriages of justice.

An order made by the three judges at the start of the appeal remains in place and prevents reporting of the details of the legal argument relating to fresh evidence in the case.

It can be reported that, if Evans wins his appeal, the prosecution will seek a retrial.