Ched Evans's girlfriend stands by ex-footballer in bid to overturn rape sentence

The girlfriend of former Wales striker Ched Evans has insisted that she is standing by his side as he tries to overturn his jail sentence for rape.

The 25-year-old was given five years in prison after a jury found him guilty in April 2012 of raping a 19-year-old woman in a hotel.

The ex-Sheffield United player's other half Natasha Massey has joined forces with his mother Helen and sisters Kylie and Nicola to lead a campaign hoping to overturn the sentence.

"It was hard to deal with the fact my boyfriend had cheated, but I know Ched is an honest and lovable character and knew the rape charge wasn't right," Natasha told the Daily Star.

The family are planning to submit their bid to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.