BODY-in-the-boot killers Robert McCarry and Paul Waters are appealing against their conviction for the murder of Nicola West.

Colin Adwent

BODY-in-the-boot killers Robert McCarry and Paul Waters are appealing against their conviction for the murder of Nicola West.

McCarry, of Vernon Street, Ipswich, and Waters, of Sandpiper Road, Ipswich, were found guilty after a trial at Ipswich Crown Court in January last year.

The pair received mandatory life sentences, with McCarry being told he would spend a minimum of 19 years in jail, while Waters was given at least 13 years in prison.

However, their minimum tariffs were increased to 24 years and 18 years respectively, after the Attorney General's office appealed against the sentences at the High Court in October.

Now, the Court of Appeal has confirmed both men are challenging a total of seven convictions between them, in relation to the strangling of Miss West during what they claim was a sex game which ended in tragedy.

No date has yet been set for a hearing of their case

A spokesman for the Court of Appeal said: “They have lodged an appeal against conviction, but it is not ready to be listed.”

McCarry, 38, was found guilty of murder, rape, perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Waters, 30, was convicted of murder, attempted rape and perverting the course of justice.

Miss West, 34, of Leatherbottle Hill, Little Blakenham, was killed on February 8, 2007, near the dry ski slope at Wherstead.

After the St Elizabeth Hospice worker's death, the men put her body in the boot of Waters' car and drove around the country for two days, before going to Ipswich police station to hand themselves in.

Giving evidence during their trial, McCarry claimed Miss West had encouraged him to strangle her during sex to heighten her pleasure.

He said he had been reluctant to contact the police or take her to hospital after she died, because he didn't think anyone would believe Miss West's death had been an accident.

However, the jury's verdicts were unanimous with the exception of McCarry's rape conviction, which was by a majority verdict of 11-1 and Waters' murder conviction which was reached by a majority of 10-2.

colin.adwent@eadt.co.uk