Nicholas Hoogstraten could be out of jail within two weeks after being given leave to appeal against his conviction for manslaughter.

The millionaire property tycoon was convicted of killing rival landlord Mohammed Sabir Raja at the Old Bailey last year.

But Hoogstraten's lawyers are confident they have a strong case against sentence and conviction after being granted leave to appeal in the High Court this week.

Mr Justice Mitchell allowed the appeal and a full hearing in front of three judges could be fixed for the summer.

Meanwhile, Hoogstraten's lawyer, Giovanni di Stefano, said an application for bail would be made within ten to 14 days.

Mr di Stefano told The Argus: "Mr Hoogstraten is very happy.

"Whatever people think of this man, however he has built his fortune - if he even has one - he was accused of murder and acquitted of murder.

"That tells you something.

"He was convicted of manslaughter, wrongly we say, on the flimsiest of evidence with a serious misdirection by a judge of the High Court.

"We will now see what the Court of Appeal has to say on the matter."

His lawyer will be making an application for bail.

Mr di Stefano said: "Technically, bail could be granted within 48 hours."