THE mother of murdered schoolgirl Rochelle Holness is sickened by the news her killer is appealing his life sentence.

It has only been three months since convicted rapist John McGrady was jailed for murdering Rochelle at his home on the Milford Towers Estate, Catford.

The former butcher, who pleaded guilty to murder on April 12, snatched the 15-year-old from a phonebox near her home in Catford after she went out to call her boyfriend on September 25 last year.

It is believed he killed Rochelle within hours of her entering his home.

Three days later her dismembered body was found dumped in bin bags in a supermarket trolley near a stairwell leading to the estate.

But in a shocking turnaround, the convicted killer has appealed his whole-life sentence, which he was given at the Old Bailey on May 16 on the grounds he feels it is too "excessive" and "inappropriate" for him.

Ms Bennett was taken ill when she heard the news and spent a week at King's College Hospital in London.

Fighting back the tears, the 38-year-old, told News Shopper: "It makes me feel so sick.

"I can't believe he thinks he has the right to appeal.

"This was not a burglary. This was a murder. My child. He doesn't know what he has put me through - absolute hell.

"Every night I go to bed and cry. He has destroyed my life.

"I have even considered suicide.

"There's no justice if he is allowed to reduce his life sentence."

A police spokesman added: "He has appealed the whole-life sentence because he feels it's too excessive and inappropriate for him.

"So, he feels there is some hope for him.

"I believe the reason behind the judgement in May was sound and reflected the absolute horror of this offence and the danger he represents to women."

A Court of Appeal spokesman confirmed McGrady has made an application for leave against his sentence, which could go to a Court of Appeal hearing.