Convicted murderer Ricky Percival has lodged an application to appeal against his conviction and sentence.

Percival, 27, of Cricket-field Grove, Leigh, was sentenced to 26 years in prison for the murder of Dean Boshell, 24, at the Manchester Drive allotments in February 2001.

Mr Boshell, who lived in Leigh but grew up in the Basildon area, was shot three times in an execution-style killing.

During Percival's 11-week trial, shocking allegations emerged of organised crime, bribery and police corruption.

The case largely rested on the evidence of supergrass Damon Alvin, who was recently jailed for five years for crimes he admitted carrying out with Percival.

Upon hearing the news from the Echo, Dean Boshell's mother, Beverley, broke down in tears. Mrs Boshell, who lives in the Basildon area, watched every day of the trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

She said: "I am just in total shock. When he was sentenced, I thought that was the end of it.

"No one had told me that he wanted to appeal. I was at court when Alvin was sentenced and there was no news then.

"Sitting through that trial was so difficult. I just don't don't know how I would cope if I had to do it all over again."

Percival's appeal papers have been sent to the Royal Courts of Justice in London. It is not known when his initial hearing will take place.

Kim Perks, spokeswoman for Essex Police, said their procedure was to tell victims or family members about appeals as soon as they were notified by the Crown Prosecution Service.