An HIV-positive love rat jailed for 10 years after he slept with four different woman without telling them he was infected, is to appeal against his sentence.

Mark Devereaux, 41, infected one woman - who was carrying his twins - with the virus and she had to terminate the pregnancy after finding out he was HIV positive.

The Scottish Courts Service confirmed that Devereaux had lodged an appeal against the length of his sentence. It will be heard before judges at the Court of Appeal "in due course".

Earlier this year, Devereaux, of Dundee, admitted four charges of culpable and reckless conduct dating from January 2003 to December 2008.

He had known for years of the risk he posed but said nothing to any of the women he duped. He was working offshore when his partner found a letter in their home, in the north east of Scotland, which said he was HIV positive.

He claimed to have been "in denial" about his condition because he had not suffered any ill-health and had not required medication. He said he had been able to "completely forget" about his HIV status.

BACKGROUND:

• Man who infected lover with HIV jailed for 10 years
• Victim and HIV charity react to Devereaux sentence

At the High Court in Dumbarton last month, judge Lord Pentland told Devereaux his behaviour had been "utterly irresponsible, dangerous and selfish".

When he was sentenced, one of Devereaux's victims said: "He has been given 10 years despite the fact he made the ridiculous claim that he had forgotten he had HIV or he was in denial.

"I don't think the girl he passed on the virus to will forget. He has given her a life sentence."

Campbell Boath, the firm of solicitors representing Devereaux, said they did not wish to comment on the appeal.