Kim Galbraith alleged that she was abused

Galbraith wept as she was led away following the day-long hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Her relatives and friends were also in tears as she was taken from the court to be driven to Cornton Vale Women's Prison in Stirling to continue her sentence.

A date for the appeal, which is expected to last a week, has not been set.

Galbraith shot her husband, a serving police officer, with a rifle in January 1999.

She initially alleged that intruders had shot him dead, raped her and set fire to the isolated cottage where they lived with their daughter, now aged three.

However, at her trial at the High Court in Glasgow, she alleged that she had been driven to killing the policeman after a catalogue of sexual abuse and violence.

This is an appeal of some substance which is likely to take some time to arrange

Maggie Scott, advocate

During Thursday's proceedings, Galbraith's advocate Maggie Scott said she should be granted freedom prior to the appeal.

She said: "This is an appeal of some substance which is likely to take some time to arrange.

"There is no danger to the public in general and there are pressing personal circumstances.

"She also has a daughter aged three and there are concerns for her care of that child.

"That child has lost in a very short course of time her father, her mother and her grandmother."

Galbraith's mother died earlier this year and her daughter has been cared for by Galbraith's father.

However, Lord Roger, the Lord Justice General, and Lords Cameron and Kingarth refused the request.

"We are satisfied in this case that the application should be refused," said Lord Roger.

Galbraith, who was dressed in a blue jacket and skirt, was led away in handcuffs.

Her relatives refused to comment as they left the court.