THE mother of a wealthy Rawtenstall businessman who was axed to death today hit out at his killer's plans to appeal against her five-year sentence for manslaughter.

Former escort girl Jan Charlton was cleared of the murder of Danny O'Brien, 41, last month at Leeds Crown Court but found guilty of manslaughter.

Mr O'Brien, who used to live in Holme Terrace, Townsendfold, was found hacked to death in his luxury West Yorkshire home last May.

He had been struck at least 20 times and the 3lb fireman's axe, draped with stockings and suspenders, was still embedded in his skull when he was found.

Charlton is said to feel suicidal in Durham Prison and her Huddersfield-based solicitor, Carl Kingsley, is gathering evidence to get the sentence reduced or quashed.

Leeds Crown Court confirmed that papers for an appeal against her sentence have been lodged by her solicitors Kingsley-Brooks and transferred to the Court of Appeal, in London.

But today Mr O'Brien's mother, 72-year-old Elizabeth, said she plans to write to the Home Office listing her objections to an appeal or any potential prison move.

She said: "I would strongly oppose any attempt by Janet Charlton to appeal against the sentence.

"I feel she has already been let off lightly for killing my son."

Charlton's trial detailed the extent of her sex-life with Mr O'Brien, which was said to be depraved.

Mr O'Brien was naked, tied-up and gagged in the master bedroom of his home in Midgley, near Wakefield, when he was killed.