Ched Evans rape retrial begins, judge instructs jury to ignore ‘previous publicity’

The woman allegedly raped by Chesterfield footballer Ched Evans remembers "practically nothing" of the night, a court has heard.

Evans, 27, denies raping the 19-year-old in a hotel near Rhyl in May of 2011.

The former Manchester City and Sheffield United striker had been found guilty of rape at Caernarfon Crown CourtCrown Court in 2012, only to have the conviction quashed in April of this year.

With the case opened on Tuesday at Cardiff Crown Court, prosecutor Simon Medland QC said the alleged victim had met with friends in a bar that night. Explaining that the woman and her friends had been "quite drunk", Mr Medland added that she thought her drink could have been spiked on the night, but said there was no evidence Evans had spiked any drink.

Jurors were also told that Evans left the hotel "surreptitiously" via its fire exit after the alleged rape. Earlier, a jury of six men and six women were urged by Mrs Justice Nicola Davies, the judge presiding over the trial, to disregard any previous publicity the case has had. "There has been publicity in respect of these legal proceedings. If you have heard or read about it, that is the proceedings, in the newspaper, television, radio or social media, you must ignore it." The jury was sent home in the afternoon with the case adjourned until 10.30am on Wednesday.