Sophie Elliott

Wellington, Oct 13 NZPA - Convicted murderer Clayton Weatherston has lodged an appeal against his conviction, the Court of Appeal says.

Weatherston, 33, was jailed for a minimum of 18 years in September after a jury found him guilty of murdering his former girlfriend, Sophie Elliott, in January 2008.

The former Otago University tutor admitted stabbing Ms Elliott 216 times, but argued he had been provoked.

He was found guilty of murder in July after a month-long trial.

Earlier this month, Weatherston's sister Angela Muir said her brother would not appeal his sentence.

A spokeswoman at the Court of Appeal in Wellington confirmed the appeal was lodged today.