By 3 News online staff and Europe correspondent Melissa Davies
Elliot Turner’s legal team has lodged an appeal application to overturn the conviction and sentence for his killing of 17-year-old Kiwi girlfriend Emily Longley.
The Bournemouth Echo today reported a High Court judge would decide whether Turner would be granted leave in order to appeal.
The British man, 20, was convicted in May of strangling the 17-year-old to death in his bed in 2011.
He had already been in custody for one year, and was sentenced to serve a minimum of 15 years without parole.
Justice Linda Dobbs gave Turner some instructions and a telling-off at the sentencing.
“Elliot you can put away your thoughts of champagne, Bentleys, and girls and focus on the reason you are serving a life sentence,” she said.
“Your arrogance towards Emily when on remand and during this trial has been breathtaking, your lack of remorse chilling.”
Justice Dobbs said the only mitigating factor she would take into account is his young age at the time of the offence. She said she would not consider that it was not premeditated and she said it was only a matter of time before it happened because “it was clear [Emily] wanted to be free from you and you wouldn’t let that happen, if you couldn’t have her no-one else could”.
Emily Longley’s parents Caroline and Mark Longley have said they were pleased with how the trial ended.
“The judge summed it up extremely well she was quite open and honest about what she said we are just incredibly relieved now that we can put this all behind us and we don’t have to walk up those steps towards the court,” Mr Longley said.
Mrs Longley said she was happy with the verdict.
“That was the maximum he was allowed to get and he got the maximum, so I’m happy with that. He’s going to be on life licence for the rest of his life. He’s not going to be able to put a foot wrong. I don’t think anything will change Elliot Turner.”
3 News