Rape Trial: Footballer 'Did Not Use Woman'

Professional footballer Ched Evans has denied in a rape trial that he intended to use the alleged victim for his own gratification.

The Wales and Sheffield United striker admitted under cross-examination he "feared the worst" when he discovered a member of his family had been "interrogated" by police a few days after the incident.

Evans, 23, also accepted deceiving a receptionist about the reason for wanting a key to the hotel room where fellow footballer Clayton McDonald was having sex with a 19-year-old woman.

McDonald, a Port Vale defender, and Evans are accused of raping a woman who, according to the prosecution, was in no fit state to consent to sex.

It has been alleged Evans booked the hotel room at Premier Inn near Rhyll the previous day with the "sole purpose of procuring a girl or girls later that night".

The football player was asked about a message he received from his friend in the early hours saying: "I've got a bird."

Prosecuting barrister John Philpotts said the phrase meant: "I have managed to procure a girl for you and me." Evans denied the suggestion.

The footballer was shown CCTV footage which appeared to show him looking at the woman after she had fallen over in a kebab shop earlier in the evening.

He was asked if he recognised her when he saw her in the hotel room later.

He told the jury at Caernarfon Crown Court he had not seen her face when she collapsed.

They also heard McDonald, 23, was having sex with the woman when Evans walked in and "joined in".

He was asked why he did not knock and said it was because he did not know what was happening in the room.

Mr Philpotts replied: "I don't want to be facetious but they were hardly playing Scrabble!"

Evans was also challenged about why he left the room after his friend had gone.

Evans replied: "In case my girlfriend rang me."

He said he had left through a fire exit rather than going back out through reception because "it was the nearest exit".

He was asked if, like McDonald, he used to meet girls and take them back to hotels.

"Maybe before I was with my girlfriend but not after that," he replied.

He denied the alleged victim was unconscious when he had sex with her.

She has told the court that she believes her drinks were spiked. Both footballers deny a charge of rape.