{
  "id": 6550244,
  "title": "Canberra academic wins appeal against sexual assault convictions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/canberra-academic-wins-appeal-against-sexual-assault-convictions",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-10T06:13:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-10/canberra-academic-wins-appeal-sexual-assault-convictions/107131776"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Rick McGary, a former academic at the Australian National University (ANU), has had two sexual assault convictions set aside by the Court of Appeal in Canberra. The decision comes after the jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting a complainant in his room at ANU in 2016, and a separate complainant at Cotter Reserve in 2020. However, he was acquitted of a third count of sexual assault against the same complainant in 2020. The Court of Appeal ruled that the evidence lacked probative value and had a prejudicial effect. The appeal judges found that the similarities between the incidents were not strong enough to give them significant probative value. The court also noted that the complainant in the 2020 incident had deleted some text messages and denied sending others, raising concerns about her credibility. The Court of Appeal found that bringing the charge to a third trial brought the administration of justice into disrepute. Mr McGary welcomed the court's decision, stating that what has been done to him is both unprecedented and a gross violation of democratic norms.",
  "summary": "A former Australian National University academic successfully appeals against his convictions for the sexual assault of two people in separate incidents in 2016 and 2020.",
  "key_points": [
    "Former ANU academic Rick McGary wins appeal against sexual assault convictions.",
    "Court of Appeal rules evidence lacked probative value and had prejudicial effect.",
    "Decision deemed administration of justice into disrepute."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The appeal court's ruling sets a precedent that prosecutors must carefully weigh the probative value of evidence to avoid undermining the integrity of the justice system.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}