Alexander Pacteau makes appeal against length of his sentence for murder of

Alexander Pacteau (aged 21) was given a minimum 23-year life sentence for the murder of Karen Buckley.

At Pacteau’s sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow earlier this month, Judge Lady Rae said he had carried out a “brutal, senseless and motiveless attack on a defenceless young woman”.

“Alexander Pacteau lodged a notice of intention to appeal against sentence on September 16, 2015”, a spokesperson for the Judicial Office for Scotland said.

A major search followed and the 24-year-old nurse’s remains were eventually found in a barrel on farmland outside Glasgow.

He was branded “truly evil” by Karen’s family in a statement read by her bereft father.

He will be held at a special unit for prisoners serving life sentences.

The judge said Pacteau had gone to “extraordinary lengths” to hide what he had done and told a “tissue of lies” to police investigating her disappearance.

The Crown withdrew the charge before his guilty plea and his solicitor John Scullion QC suggested his actions after the killing should not therefore be regarded when considering sentence.

But she added she had “never known a situation in which a judge has been invited to ignore significant material in an agreed narrative, deliberately put before the court, with the consent of both parties”.

It is understood that Ms Buckley’s family from Mourneabbey in north Cork were briefed by the Scottish authorities of the development and are aware that Pacteau has lodged an appeal against sentence. This was confirmed by the court.

It emerged this week the killer will enjoy perks like a Playstation and satellite television when he is moved to a newly refurbished prison.

Miss Buckley, who was studying for a masters degree in occupational health therapy at Glasgow Caledonian University, was on a night out to the Sanctuary nightclub in the city when she was preyed on by Pacteau.

He took her body to his flat, where he stored it in the bath. During this short time Ms Buckley was bludgeoned to death.

Pacteau initially lied to police, telling them his victim had gone home willingly with him, where they had consensual sex before she left at 4am.