Steven Sidebottom, the man found guilty of murdering 67-year-old Rothienorman handyman Brian McKandie, has lodged an appeal against his conviction and sentence.
Sidebottom, 25, was jailed last week for a minimum of 21 years for the brutal killing of Mr McKandie at his cottage in Badenscoth, just outside of Rothienorman.
The father-of-one denied carrying out the violent murder and robbery of Mr McKandie, but a jury at the High Court in Aberdeen returned a majority verdict of guilty last month, following an 18-day trial.
An appeal has now been lodged on Sidebottom’s behalf against his conviction and sentence.
The death of Mr McKandie in March 2016 was initially treated as an accident.
However, after a post-mortem, it became apparent that the handyman – who was known for fixing cars, washing machines and more in the local community – had received at least 15 vicious blows to the head.
When Sidebottom was sentenced last week, Lord Uist said: “”The degree of violence used was severe and extreme.
“This was in any view a very brutal murder.
“You have continued to deny your guilt since your conviction and shown no remorse.”
