Legal victory for Barry George

Barry George, who was acquitted of the murder of television presenter Jill Dando after spending eight years behind bars, won the first round of a legal battle yesterday over a decision that he is not entitled to compensation.

A High Court judge in London gave Mr George, 50, the go-ahead to challenge the decision, although he will have to wait until next year to learn more. Granting permission for a judicial review, Mr Justice Collins placed a "stay" on further action in the proceedings until after a decision is announced by the Supreme Court relating to a number of similar cases.

It emerged earlier this year that Mr George, who was found not guilty of the Crimewatch presenter's murder after an Old Bailey retrial in 2008, was refused a reported claim of £1.4m.

During the hearing Ian Glen QC described George as ticking "all the boxes" for qualifying for compensation. If awarded, the sum could be as high as £500,000.

Miss Dando, 37, was shot once in the head outside her home in Fulham, south west London, on 26 April 1999.