He won a claim that the prosecution brought by Manhattan district attorney Cy Vance, was invalidated by 'double jeopardy' laws because it overlapped with the federal crimes of which he was convicted earlier this year. 

However Manafort remains in federal custody and is not scheduled for release until Christmas Day 2024.

But the judge's ruling opens the way for Donald Trump to set Manafort entirely free by presidential pardon or by commuting his sentence. 

Previously such a move would have been futile as Manafort would have faced prison under New York state laws, which are beyond the presidential pardon power.

The Manhattan criminal court hearing went ahead without the Republican fixer as he recovers in hospital near his low-security federal prison in Pennsylvania following a 'cardiac event'.

Trump's former campaign chairman, 70, faced state charges of residential mortgage fraud, conspiracy and falsifying business records in New York.