The subject of Serial – a podcast hosted by Sarah Koenig which examined the circumstances surrounding the death of a Baltimore teen and captured the imagination of millions in 2014 – has been granted a new trial.

Adnan Syed, who has always maintained his innocence, was found guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee in 2000 in a judicial move which has come in for considerable criticism.

But after spending 17 years behind bars, Adnan Syed was yesterday granted a new trial by Baltimore judge Martin Welch.

While the judge disagreed that Syed's original defence, Cristina Gutierrez, had provided ineffective counsel and withheld crucial evidence, he did concede that Gutierrez should have cross-examined a state's expert witness.

And while the development does signal good news for Syed, who was just 17 when he was imprisoned, his current attorney, C Justin Brown, admits they expect the state to appeal the decision.

"We’re prepared to fight. Our heels are dug in," he said. "We know the state’s not going to give up and we’ll be ready."

Family friend, Rabia Chaudry, who was responsible for approaching Sarah Koenig with details of the case which laid the foundation for the phenomenally popular podcast,  is understandably overjoyed by the judge's decision, saying: "I’m feeling pretty confident right now."

"I am shaking with joy, shaking. This was the biggest hurdle," she added. "It’s really hard to get a new trial."

Hae Min Lee's family still maintain that Syed is guilty of murdering the popular 18-year-old high school student.