British backpacker Grace Millane’s killer has launched an appeal against his murder conviction and life sentence, his barrister has said.
Jesse Kempson, whose name is being kept secret in New Zealand, was convicted of murdering Ms Millane by strangling her in a hotel in Auckland.
Last month the 28-year-old was jailed for at least 17 years for her killing that followed their Tinder date on December 1, 2018 - the day before her 22nd birthday.
But Kempson’s barrister on Wednesday confirmed an appeal against his conviction hand sentence has been filed.
Ms Millane's body was found in a suitcase buried in a forested area outside Auckland.
Kempson claimed Ms Millane, from Wickford, Essex, died accidentally after the pair engaged in rough sex that went too far.
A jury in November rejected that argument and found him guilty of murder.
Murder typically comes with a life sentence in New Zealand.
Prosecutors successfully argued that Kempson must serve 17 years before becoming eligible for parole.
His defence had asked for their then-client to serve 12 years, later indicating he would appeal.
In sentencing, Justice Simon Moore told the murderer his actions amounted to "conduct that underscores a lack of empathy and sense of self-entitlement and objectification".
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Scott Beard of Auckland City Police said the death was "senseless and needless".
New Zealand's courts have kept a name suppression order in place since Kempson's first appearance. That order does not cover overseas media such as the Evening Standard, however this article has been geo-blocked from New Zealand.
