The man who murdered schoolgirl Paige Doherty in a "savage and frenzied" knife attack is to appeal his prison sentence.

John Leathem killed the 15-year-old in a "savage and frenzied" attack at his sandwich shop in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, in March before he moved her body in bin bags to the boot of his car.

He then disposed of the popular teenager's body, which was left with more than 146 injuries as a result of Leathem's attack, in a wooded area next to busy Great Western Road.

At the High Court in Glasgow earlier this month, the 32-year-old was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 27 years by Lady Rae.

The judge described Paige as a "defenceless child" who was killed in a "savage and frenzied attack" and screams of "beast", "monster" and "rot in hell" were heard from Paige's family as the killer was led away.

She added Leathem had inflicted a "horrific level of violence" on the schoolgirl.

It has now emerged the former deli owner plans to appeal his prison sentence.

A spokesman for the judiciary said on Wednesday: "John Leathem lodged a notice of his intention to appeal against sentence yesterday."

In Leathem's version of events in court, he claimed the teenager had threatened to tell people he had "touched" her if he did not give her a job, which led to him "snapping" and attacking her.

Lady Rae said no evidence to substantiate this claim had been provided, while nothing had been presented to explain the "ferocity" of the murderous assault.

The judge referred to Leathem's claims during her sentencing.

She said: "You claim she threatened to reveal you had touched her inappropriately if you didn't give her that job. No evidence has been placed before me to support this.

"Even if true, your reaction was in no way mitigating of this appalling, wicked crime. There is no evidence or motive to explain the ferocity of this attack."

The judge added: "It is impossible to comprehend how an apparently happily married man, with a young child, who is running a successful business, is capable of such an horrific level of violence."