A woman allegedly raped by footballer Ched Evans was “hysterical” an hour later, a court has heard. She had gone to a friend’s house after waking up naked and confused at the Premier Inn in Rhyl, North Wales, Cardiff Crown Court was told. The room had been paid for by Chesterfield striker Evans under the name of his friend, Clayton McDonald.
Evans, whose original conviction was quashed before a retrial was ordered, denies raping the woman and insists they had consensual sex. Jurors heard the alleged victim arrived at her friend’s home and banged on the door loudly. The friend, who cannot be named, told police in a statement: “When I opened the door she was crying hysterically.
“She was sobbing, trying to catch her breath and I gave her a hug to calm her down.
“When she calmed down, she told me that she had woken up in the Premier Inn naked and had no idea how she had got there.”
The alleged offence took place in the early hours of 30 May, 2011. The court heard the complainant had drunk two large glasses of wine beforehand, and later bought four double vodka and lemonades and a shot of sambuca at a nightclub. Evidence from a takeaway owner, a taxi driver and the hotel receptionist suggested the woman was drunk.
She had gone to the hotel with Mr McDonald and they walked off to room 14 without asking for a key, said night manager Gavin Burrough. Evans and two other men turned up about 15 minutes later, and Evans asked for the key to room 14. He was given it after confirming he had booked the room.
Mr Burrough told the court that during his rounds, he heard panting noises and a woman “squealing” from inside the room. He said the two men who had arrived with Mr Evans were outside the open window of room 14. Mr Burrough said he then returned to reception and saw Mr McDonald about 15 minutes later asking for the number of a taxi.
The trial continues.
