George Pell granted leave to appeal sex abuse convictions in High Court

Catholic Cardinal George Pell has been granted leave to appeal his child sex abuse convictions in the High Court.

The court announced its decision on Wednesday in Canberra and the appeal is expected to go ahead next year.

Cardinal George Pell arrives at the County Court in Melbourne, Australia in February. Source: AAP
Cardinal George Pell arrives at the County Court in Melbourne in February. Source: AAP

Pell, 78, was found guilty by a jury of the rape of a 13-year-old choirboy and sexual assault of another at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne in 1996, but he has always denied any wrongdoing.

The Victorian Court of Appeal in August upheld a jury verdict convicting Pell in a 2-1 ruling.

Pell is serving a six-year jail term and is ineligible for parole until he has served three years and eight months of his sentence.

The special leave application was decided by Justices James Edelman and Michelle Gordon.

More to come.

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