12/11/2014

Sheffield United Urged To Reconsider Evans Decision

Sheffield United have been urged to reconsider its decision to allow convicted rapist Ched Evans to train with the club.

Sheffield Central MP Paul Bloomfield said if the club proceeded it would send "a disturbing message to young people and victims of sexual violence".

25-year-old Evans was released last month after serving half of his sentence for the rape of 19-year-old woman in a hotel room in 2011. He has maintained his innocence throughout.

It was announced yesterday that while no decision had been made on his rejoining the club, he would train with the Sheffield United team sometime this week.

The MP issued a letter to club co-chairmen Kevin McCabe and Jim Phipps, said: "Everybody deserves a second chance, but with such serious offences this is based on offenders recognising the gravity of their crimes and seeking to make good for them. Since his release Ched Evans has not taken this first step towards rehabilitation, but has trivialised his crime."

The letter also appears on Mr Bloomfield's Facebook page.

(MH/CD)

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