A former downtown Toronto bar owner has been granted bail pending his appeal of a conviction for the gang sexual assault of a barely conscious woman.
A Court of Appeal justice says Gavin MacMillan has strong grounds to challenge his conviction and nine-year sentence.
At issue in the appeal is recent federal legislation related to jury selection that has thrown dozens of cases into doubt.
MacMillan and his bar manager were convicted in November of sexually assaulting and administering a noxious substance to their 24-year-old victim.
The trial judge called the hours-long, videotaped attack violent and degrading.
The Appeal Court justice says granting MacMillan bail will not undermine confidence in the justice system.