Sheffield United's Ched Evans jailed five years for rape

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I'm suprised by this, as from what I'd seen of the trial I thought that Clayton McDonald would be more severely sentenced for this one.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-17781842

Footballer Ched Evans has been jailed for five years for raping a 19-year-old woman, while another player, Clayton McDonald, has been cleared.

Wales and Sheffield United striker Evans, 23, was convicted by a jury at Caernarfon Crown Court. Both he and Port Vale defender Mr McDonald, also 23, had denied rape at a Premier Inn near Rhyl, Denbighshire.

The court heard the defendants had known each other since they were aged 10 and shared accommodation when they played for Manchester City's youth academy.

Evans, a striker, has scored 35 goals for Championship club Sheffield United this season and has 13 caps for Wales.

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1. Fully acquitted is rather odd

given that both men admitted to having sex with the girl - and the girl presumably recalls nothing. I assume that the presumption is that she agreed to have sex with McDonald, but not with Evans . . . but if she can't remember anything, how does she know she agreed to have sex with McDonald?

Seems like it should have been both or neither.

Very strange decision by this court.

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2. I found that odd as well

I was very suprised that Clayton McDonald was let off. At the very least he was complicit in all this. I guess that she went back to the hotel room with him and as such they couldn't prove that she hadn't consented to sex with him where they clearly could with Ched Evans.

It should also be said that the behaviour of some sections of United's support over this has been appalling, be it naming and slandering the victim on the internet, or refusing to accept the verdict on the basis that he's Sheffield United's star player.

http://www.sabotagetimes.com/football-sport/the-ched-evans-twitter-rape-apologists-are-a-disgrace-to-humanity/

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3. I agree that some of the comments have been vile -

and I'm a Blades supporter myself (and female).

The remarks are nasty, and entirely expected - unfortunately. There are a lot of not-very-bright people in the world. I'd imagine that equally vile remarks were made about the women who have created negative press (even if deserved) for other footballers; it seems to be the nature of some supporters, regardless of the situation.

Personally, I can't have an opinion on the case, other than to feel that it was an odd decision by the court. I wasn't at the trial, didn't hear the testimony. Just the press reports.

I can - and do - think it's a prime example of piss-poor decision making by everyone involved, and I sincerely hope that a good many lessons have been learned.

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4. There's been arrests unsuprisingly

It just goes to show how blinkered some people are that their reaction to this is to blame the victim, indeed to wage a hate campaign against a rape victim.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-17868033

[enlightenment]

5. Not surprised at the arrests. The law is pretty clear on this.

Still, in the same way that it is not possible to - despite all attempts - legislate morality, it is not possible to make everyone toe the line on the proper response to a conviction in a he said/she said accusation.

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6. The trouble with this case....

....is that there are a lot of armchair generals out there who are very blinkered, convinced that Ched Evans can do no wrong on the sole basis that he plays for the Blades, and are therefore trying to play judge & jury when the actual judge & jury have already decided with access to the full facts.

There are reports that some blunts are even planning a minuites applause at tonight's match for Ched Evans. Could Sheffield United's supporters drag the name of their club through the gutter any further?

If you lot go up all you lot will hear next season is abuse from other supporters about supporters who condone rape and how promotion was earned purely because of a convicted sex offender.

[enlightenment]

7. I sincerely hope the supporters who feel that applause is

appropriate rethink - or that the stewards will remove them posthaste. Like I said, there are a lot of not-very-bright people in the world.

Football would be a lot more civilized were it not for the supporters, but that would defeat the purpose of the game.

As for abuse next season? All clubs get plenty of grief from other clubs and yes, if we go up there will be those who will do their best to forever link the club with Evans' behavior off the pitch. Same could be said for other players who do stupid things (up to and including earning convictions for criminal activities). If we don't go up, those same people will gleefully point out that it was due to Evans' behavior off the pitch.

It's a no-win situation, unfortunately.

The club will survive, regardless.

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8. Happily I haven't heard any reports of it happening today.

It doesn't help though, that United are still paying Evan's wages, and as such they haven't distanced themselves from this nonsense. You'd hope that they could try and put this behind them and move forward (although hopefully we also get a win next week. Squeaky bum time for both clubs)

[enlightenment]

9. I suspect (though don't know for certain)

that unless there is something in his contract that allows for immediate dismissal for cause, the club has to work out the details of stopping his wages with his agent and the legal eagles.

I realize that he is going to appeal, but it was a conviction regardless of the outcome of any appeal and he shouldn't be getting paid at the moment. At the very least they should suspend his wages until the appeal decision is rendered. If for some reason the judge decides to dismiss (frankly don't see that happening!), then they could give him the back wages, I suppose - though that creates its own set of perception problems.

How does society deal with something like that? The taint of rape is like that of child abuse. It never goes away - even if another judge and another jury decided the first court was wrong (again - I don't see that happening, but it raises an interesting question).

I would like to see the club move past this - we are, as usual, determined to throw our fate into the hands of others (SIGH). The heart-attack kids, that's the Blades.

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10. On the plus side....

...the planned applause for Ched Evans didn't come to pass yesterday. Maybe now United will be able to move on from what has been a hugely damaging episode for the club.

As to the contract, you have to ask how many employers would be as sympathetic towards an employee with a rape conviction?

[enlightenment]

11. Not sure sympathy has anything to do with it.

Contract law can be pretty tight. I have no idea what reason the club may have for continuing to pay his wages and it may be 'sympathy' . . . but it could also be something as prosaic as not wanting to wind up in a legal battle with Evans' agent.

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12. It's clearly affected your season

Great news for us though!!!!

Loving the automatic promotion for Sheffield Wednesday!

[enlightenment]

13. I'll agree with that first sentiment . . .

and congratulations to you and your club.

Good show.

Now, wouldn't it be nice if my club can manage promotion? We'd still have the Steel City Derby next season . . . (yes, that's a bribe for support).

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14. Ched Evans should never be allowed to play a professional football match again

Thought I might as well post this here seeing as the rapist has been released today and there are many Blunts already calling for his return to the Sheffield U****d supporters calling for his immediate return to the team.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/11167114/Ched-Evans-should-never-be-allowed-to-play-a-professional-football-match-again.html

There is a far more compelling argument in this case and it is to do with the privileged nature of the job that Evans does - as Taylor should also recognise - the crime he has committed, and the lack of remorse he has shown. Evans is a footballer. He is, whether he wishes it or not, high-profile, in the public eye; he is a hero for supporters, he is revered – and that comes with extra responsibility. Some footballers embrace the concept of being a role model; some point out that they are sportsmen and no more. But whatever their standpoint they cannot ignore the fact there is a social and cultural responsibility that comes with their position.

Evans was jailed in 2012 for raping a 19-year-old woman. The woman was drunk, so drunk she could barely stand up; she had gone back to a hotel in Rhyl, north Wales, with Evans’ friend, another footballer, Clayton McDonald. McDonald had called Evans and he arrived at the hotel and had sex with the girl, after McDonald did, while others attempted to film it.

Evans protested his innocence and continues to do so, claiming the act was consensual. Presumably that is why he feels no remorse, even if his behaviour - based on his own version of events - is morally reprehensible.

And what of the victim? She has suffered a two-year internet hate campaign, been forced to adopt a new identity and leave her home town after her name was posted on Twitter. With Evans close to being released that hate campaign has started again.

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15. Sheffield United will no longer let convicted rapist Ched Evans train with the team

After much pressure from all sides, Sheffield United have finally seen sense. But only after dragging their clubs name well and truly through the mud.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30054475

Sheffield United have retracted their offer to let convicted rapist Ched Evans use their training facilities.
The Blades had been heavily criticised for agreeing to allow Evans to train at the club after his release from prison.
Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill stated that she wanted her name removed from one of the Bramall Lane stands should he play for the club again.
The club said reaction to their initial decision "has been at an intensity that could not have been anticipated".

Opposition to Ched Evans "at an intensity that could not have been anticipated"? Makes you wonder what planet these people live on.