Tracy Reid disposed of her daughter's body

Tracy Reid admitted perverting the course of justice by helping dump five-year-old Danielle's body in the Caledonian Canal, Inverness.

Lawyers for the 25-year-old said an appeal had been lodged on the grounds that the sentence was excessive.

Lee Gaytor, 25, was jailed for life after he admitted murdering Danielle.

He had carried out a vicious drug-fuelled assault on the child, who may have lived if medical attention had been sought.

Weighted suitcase

Gaytor must serve a minimum of 18 years before being considered for parole.

His brother Christopher was jailed for one year for helping to transport the body through Inverness in a weighted suitcase and hurling it into the Muirtown Basin.

Reid admitted failing to seek medical attention for her daughter and conspiring to pervert the course of justice by disposing of Danielle's body in January.

Danielle Reid's body was found in January

Passing sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh earlier this month, Lord Hardie said Reid had compounded the neglect of her child by carrying her daughter's body through the streets of Inverness and disposing of it.

The judge said that she had to accept responsibility for Danielle's death.

"Although you did not inflict the fatal injuries on Danielle it is clear from the Crown narrative that if you had summoned medical assistance she would probably have lived," he said.

"The death of your daughter will weigh on your conscience for the rest of your life because of your serious breach of the trust and responsibility which parents have towards their children."

Spirit 'broken'

A three-day hearing was held to examine whether Reid had been completely under the influence of Lee Gaytor.

Dr Mairead Tagg, an expert in the problems of battered women, said Reid's spirit had been broken and that she would do anything he demanded.

However, her claims were rejected by Lord Hardie.

The judge said it would remain "a matter of speculation" whether Reid's conduct was influenced by drug abuse or mere selfishness.