Wales Ched Evans Guilty of Attack
23 year old Ched Evans has been jailed for attacking the 19 year in a hotel room in Rhyl last May. His co-defendant Clayton McDonald was cleared.
The jury first returned a not-guilty verdict on McDonald after over four hours of deliberations. Liverpool born McDonald who now lives in Crewe is said to have looked elated when the verdict was passed, shouts were heard from the public gallery. Judge Merfyn Hughes QC then rose and everyone in the public gallery was ordered to leave the court.
When the judge returned the jury foreman gave the guilty verdict against Evand, who has been jailed for five years.
The Sheffield United centre forward threw the headphones he was using to follow the trial on the floor and then looked shocked. Judge Hughes told McDonald he was free to leave the dock.
In a statement released via Sheffield United's website, Evans's lawyers said: ``Ched Evans is shocked and extremely disappointed with the decision reached today by the jury at Caernarfon Crown Court to convict him of the charge brought against him.``Mr Evans firmly maintains his innocence in this matter and is being advised regarding an appeal of the decision.''