Alexander Pacteau has dropped his appeal against the sentence he received for murdering Karen Buckley.

The 21 year old's appeal was due to be heard in Edinburgh on Friday, but a spokesperson for the Scottish judiciary said that was no longer going ahead.

Alexander Pacteau v Her Majesty's Advocate: Appeal against sentence abandoned https://t.co/kzM6ni5p40

— Judges Scotland (@JudgesScotland) December 2, 2015

24 year old Karen, from Mourneabbey in Co.Cork, was murdered by Mr Pacteau in Glasgow last April.

Her family made an emotional plea for her safe return, after Karen went missing on a night out.

Karen had been studying at Glasgow Caledonian University for a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy, having previously qualified as a nurse at the University of Limerick.

Alexander Pacteau was sentenced to a minimum of 23 years in prison in September, after pleading guilty to the crime.

During the sentencing, Judge Lady Rae referred to his actions as a brutal, senseless, motiveless attack on a defenceless young woman.