THE man who murdered Perthshire pensioner Jenny Methven has launched an appeal against his conviction and sentence.

William Kean has taken the first legal steps in a bid to overturn his conviction and minimum 22-year prison term imposed last month at the High Court in Glasgow.

Father-of-one Kean, 46, whose family insist he is innocent, was convicted of bludgeoning Mrs Methven to death at her home near Forteviot.

Kean's DNA and fingerprints were found at the scene of the murder. Mrs Methven's body was found by her son, David, who also lived at the cottage.

Kean had lodged a special defence of incrimination and tried to blame Mr Methven for the killing.