Ched Evans

[Scunner]

The most surprising part of this on the news today was the fact he was found guilty of rape and was released after serving just two and a half years.

[tiggsy]

The 2.1/2 years will be even more surprising if he is eventually found not guilty.

[Jacqui Harvey]

Agreed, he would also be eligible to claim compensation as others in the British Justice system wrongly sentenced have.

[KKOB]

Depends
a) whether the appeal is allowed
b) whether, at appeal he's found not guilty and
c) if found not guilty, whether the judges give him leave to claim compensation.

[tiggsy]

Appeal was given the go ahead yesterday. On the grounds that the defense has new evidence.

[JohnF]

Conviction quashed as being unsafe.  Retrial.

JF

[sandgrounder]

Apparently new evidence has come to light. Where was this evidence in the first instance?

[JohnF]

It was in the possession of the prosecution and they *allegedly* withheld it from both the defence and the jury.

JF

[Stuart T]

From the perspective of a "hairy arsed old copper" with a little experience of this - it seems that he has taken advantage of a drunken girl.

Can her drunkenness (who knows how drunk?) be deemed consent? Can his drunkenness be deemed mitigating?

(The "role model" nonsense is a side affair).

If a healthy, wealthy, drink fuelled, hormone - driven male takes his chances with a seemingly willing, drunken female, is that rape?

Ibiza, Magaluf, Aiya Napa et al - all these hotspots for drunken, drug - affected behaviour are so well chronicled on television.

Many "rapes", it seems, are possible in these circumstances.

Consent - hardly informed but maybe, just maybe, it's not simply a one - sided story.

[KKOB]

Where was this evidence in the first instance?

Probably being hidden like the "new evidence" that's emerging in the Pistorius case.