A VIOLENT thug who arranged for acid to be thrown in the face of his model girlfriend after their whirlwind relationship broke down is appealing against his conviction for raping her. Daniel Lynch, of Shepherd s Bush, West London, was jailed for life in M

A VIOLENT thug who arranged for acid to be thrown in the face of his model girlfriend after their whirlwind relationship broke down is appealing against his conviction for raping her.

Daniel Lynch, of Shepherd's Bush, West London, was jailed for life in May 2009 following the horrific attack on model and budding TV presenter, Katie Piper of Golders Green.

He was found guilty of causing her grievous bodily harm with intent at Wood Green Crown Court in September 2008, after his accomplice, Stefan Marcel Sylvestre, threw a cup of sulphuric acid in her face outside her Golders Green flat in March 2008.

Lynch admitted assaulting Miss Piper, causing her actual bodily harm, in October 2008 and, after a retrial in March 2009, he was found guilty of raping her. Both offences related to an incident in a London hotel three days before the acid attack.

Lynch was ordered to serve at least 16 years behind bars.

Today top judges sitting at London's Criminal Appeal Court granted Lynch's barrister, Raymond Lewis, more time to gather witness statements and evidence to be used in his challenge to the rape conviction.

The court heard 26-year-old Miss Piper waived her right to anonymity to record a documentary for Channel 4, entitled "Katie: My Beautiful Face".

Mr Lewis argued it was not clear when filming began, or when Miss Piper first started negotiations with the production company, and suggested she could have been motivated by the prospect of financial gain when giving her evidence on the rape charge.

However, prosecution lawyers insisted it was clear the documentary had been filmed after Lynch's second trial and there was no basis to the appeal.

A sentence appeal launched on behalf of Sylvestre, who admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent in August 2008, was also adjourned today, to be heard no later than 28 days' time.

Sylvestre, of no fixed abode, was detained indefinitely for public protection, with a minimum jail term of six years to serve.