Online petition urges Sheffield United not to re-employ rape convict Ched Evans

An online petition has been created in a bid to persuade Sheffield United not to re-employ rape convict Ched Evans.

The striker is due to be released in October after serving half of a five-year prison term following his sentencing back in 2012.

The now 25-year-old footballer was given a unanimous guilty verdict by the jury following a two-week trial in which it was heard that he had sex with a 19-year-old woman.

The petition has gained almost 60,000 signatures, urging Sheffield United to not automatically re-employ the forward when he walks free.

Tranmere Rovers defender Clayton McDonald was cleared of the same charge.