MICHAEL Podmore lodged a High Court appeal against his convictions for raping and torturing a woman yesterday - the day he was jailed for life for the offences.

And the Argus can exclusively reveal that Podmore is planning to take a polygraph (lie detector) test, only available in the USA, which he believes will prove his innocence.

In our later editions yesterday, we reported how Podmore was jailed for life for three rapes and a string of violent assaults on a 26-year-old woman he had imprisoned in his home.

The court heard he imprisoned her for three weeks at his flat in Risca Road, Newport. At Cardiff crown court yesterday, the Recorder of Cardiff, Judge John Griffith Williams, jailed Podmore with a tariff of a total of 16 years, calling him "an exceptionally dangerous man".

Judge Griffith Williams ordered that Podmore serve a minimum of seven years and four months before his case can be considered by a parole board. And he ordered Podmore be put on the sex offenders' register for life.

The woman was raped repeatedly and during her terrifying ordeal Podmore aimed a hammer at her head, threatened to kill her, blow up her mother and children and kill himself if she left the flat.

On one occasion Podmore attached crocodile clips to the woman's nipples and gave her electric shocks.

Yesterday's hearing followed Podmore's trial in August, where he was convicted of three counts of rape, three charges of making threats to kill, false imprisonment, attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of actual bodily harm.

Podmore has consistently denied all the charges, claiming his victim consented.

Yesterday, it was revealed that Podmore had a string of convictions for vicious attacks on women - including burning one with an iron, beating her with a claw hammer and holding a cigarette lighter to another woman's face.

Following yesterday's sentencing, Podmore's solicitor, Emma Turner, said her client is to appeal against his convictions.

Ms Turner told the Argus: "We have lodged an appeal with the High Court in London which had to be done within 28 days of conviction and have had acknowledgement of our notice of appeal.

"He wants to take a polygraph test which he believes will prove that he has not been lying and is looking for funding."

A polygraph test is not admissible as evidence in UK courts, and would cost Podmore about £1,000. He is currently looking at ways to fund the test.

A High Court decision on whether Podmore will be allowed to appeal against his conviction will take several months.

Detective Inspector Dave Edwards, from Newport CID, said after the hearing yesterday: "Our thoughts are with his victim and her family at this time, and we praise them for the courage in coming forward."

After his conviction, his victim's mother branded Podmore "evil" and "a sicko".