Dowler killer to launch appeal bid

Former bouncer Levi Bellfield is due to seek permission to appeal against his conviction for the kidnap and murder of Surrey teenager Milly Dowler. Lawyers for Bellfield are scheduled to make an appeal application in the Court of Appeal in London today.

Bellfield was given a whole life term in June 2011 after being found guilty of abducting and killing 13-year-old Milly, following a trial at the Old Bailey. His application for leave to appeal is due to be heard by a panel of three judges – the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, Mr Justice Wyn Williams and Mr Justice Maddison.

Milly was snatched from the street while on her way to her home in Walton-on-Thames in March 2002, Old Bailey jurors heard. Bellfield, 43 when convicted, was already serving a whole-life term for the murders of Amelie Delagrange and Marsha McDonnell – and the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy – when he went trial last year. He was sentenced a day after being convicted of Milly's murder.

Milly disappeared on her way home from school. Her body was found six months later in a wood in Yateley Heath, Hampshire – 25 miles from Walton-on-Thames. Experts could not say how she died.