Convicted catholic cleric loses at appeal court

Cardinal George Pell, the most senior catholic cleric to be convicted of sexual abuse, has failed in a legal bid to quash his convictions in Australia.

Pell was jailed for six years in march after being found guilty of abusing two boys in a Melbourne cathedral in the 1990s. he maintains his innocence.

Pell challenged the verdict by arguing it was unreasonable because there was insufficient evidence to convict him beyond a reasonable doubt.

However, his appeal was dismissed 2-1 by a panel of three judges in Victoria’s court of appeal on Wednesday

The former Vatican treasurer, 78, will now consider a final appeal in the nation’s highest court.