Ched Evans to appeal rape conviction

The Welsh international is set to fight against the court's decision to hand down a five-year jail sentence for his assault on a 19-year-old woman in a hotel room last May.Sheffield United striker Ched Evans is set to appeal against his recent rape conviction and five-year jail sentence.Evans, 23, was convicted at Caernarfon Crown Court last Friday after being found guilty of raping a woman at a hotel in North Wales last May.Although Evans admitted to having sex with the woman, she told the court that she had no recollection of the night, leading the court to find that she was too drunk to consent to sexual intercourse.Port Vale defender Clayton McDonald, also 23, admitted to having sex with the victim, but was found not guilty of all charges.Law firm Brabners Chaffe Street released this statement, via Sheffield United: "Mr Evans firmly maintains his innocence in this matter and as such, we confirm that Mr Evans will be appealing the decision."The former Manchester City striker, who was controversially named in the League One team of the year just days after his conviction, had enjoyed a successful season, guiding Sheffield United to the brink of promotion.Meanwhile, Sheffield United team mate Conor Brown has been suspended by the club after commenting on the case via Twitter.The defender, who plays in the club's reserves side, made various comments directed at the victim following the verdict.North Wales police have begun investigations into claims that the woman has been identified and abused on Twitter and other social networking websites.