SPIREITES DELIGHTED AS EVANS IS CLEARED

CHESTERFIELD are hoping striker Ched Evans will be allowed to focus his attentions on football after he was found not guilty of rape following a two-week trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

The 27-year-old Welsh international was accused of attacking a 19-year-old woman at a Premier Inn in Rhuddlan, Denbighshire, on May 30, 2011. He was originally found guilty of rape at Caernarfon Crown Court in 2012, but the conviction was quashed in April.

He was found not guilty of the same charge after a retrial at Cardiff on Friday.

In a statement read out on his behalf after the verdict, Evans said: “In the early hours of 30 May, 2011, an incident occurred in north Wales that was to change my life and the lives of others forever.

“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... for their tireless efforts upon my behalf.

“Thanks go, too, to my friends and family; most notably my fiancee, Natasha (Massey), 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.”

Evans joined Chesterfield on a one-year deal in June and has scored four goals this term.

Chesterfield chief executive Chris Turner said: “We are naturally delighted with the outcome, especially for Ched, his family and friends. We can now all move forward and focus on football.”