Drunk rape claims DOUBLE after Ched Evans conviction

Posted Tuesday, December 02, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

THE number of drunk rape cases reported since Ched Evans' conviction has doubled according to police figures.

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Forces across the country have seen a rise in victims reporting incidents of rape following the Evans case.

The former Sheffield United striker was released from prison in October having served half of his five-year sentence after raping a 19-year-old woman in 2011.

The 25-year-old Wales international has maintained his innocence claiming he had consensual sex with the victim but the jury in the trial ruled she was too drunk to consent.

The number of women claiming to be victims of rape has increased by 50 per cent between August and October.

Northumbria has seen a 192 per cent rise compared to the same period last year.

Vera Baird, Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, told The Mirror: “People know, in a way they didn’t before, that these cases do go to court and result in convictions.

"The Ched Evans case has undoubtedly played a role."

In Greater Manchester, there has been a 100 per cent increase in rape reports with a number of them alcohol-fuelled.

Det Insp Damian Simpson, of the Sexual Offences unit, said: "Unfortunately we've dealt with many an incident whereby two young people have met on an alcohol-fuelled night out, one thing has led to another and the next morning we’re arresting somebody for rape."

Evans has suffered another blow in his attempts to return to the game after League One club Oldham Athletic announced they would not be inviting him to train with them or be offered a contract following newspaper reports on Sunday.

It follows the decision by former club Sheffield United to reverse their decision for him to train with them following a public outcry and 160,000 signatures on a petition.

Last week, League Two side Tranmere also turned down an approach from associates of Evans about the possibility of training with him.