Ched Evans in action for Sheffield United during the 2011-12 season

Ched Evans: Decision expected on convicted rapist's case review

A Criminal Cases Review Commission panel has met to consider the case of convicted rapist Ched Evans.

The ex-Sheffield United footballer, 26, was jailed in April 2012 for raping a woman at a north Wales hotel.

The former Wales striker maintains his innocence and gave new evidence to the CCRC in a bid to appeal his conviction.

The commission has been investigating for 10 months after prioritising the review and could decide to send his case to the Court of Appeal.

To do that, the CCRC would need to believe that there was a "real possibility" of his conviction being quashed.

Alternatively, the panel could rule that further investigative work is needed or that there are no grounds to refer it to the Court of Appeal.

If that is the case, Evans can still respond before a final decision is made.

Evans was released from prison in October 2014 after serving half of his five-year sentence but attempts to resume his football career at League One sides Sheffield United and Oldham Athletic were met with widespread opposition.

An earlier bid to gain permission to appeal against Evans' conviction was rejected by three judges at the Court of Appeal in 2012.

He has apologised "for the effects" of his actions in 2011, but has not spoken directly about his 19-year-old victim as he claims he was "told not to discuss the events in question" by lawyers.