LAWYERS for Heather Barnett’s killer have been given three weeks to decide whether they wish to appeal against his conviction.

Danilo Restivo appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court last week for a preliminary extradition hearing.

The Italian authorities are seeking the temporary extradition of Restivo, 39, to stand trial for the killing of Elisa Claps in 1993.

Restivo, who is serving a whole life sentence for the murder of mum-of-two Heather, appeared via video link from Winchester Prison where he is currently being held.

The judge asked Restivo’s legal team whether the Italian national would be appealing his conviction in this country.

He ordered the defence to serve their response by August 4.

Restivo, of Chatsworth Road, Charminster, Bournemouth, was convicted earlier this month of the murder of Ms Barnett on November 12, 2002.

During the trial the court heard allegations that Restivo had also killed Elisa.

The 16-year-old went missing from Potenza in Italy in 1993 and her body was found in the loft of the church there last year.

Though he never faced trial in Italy, the Barnett trial heard damning evidence against Restivo in relation to the Claps case.

The Echo understands two days have been set aside in Salerno, Italy, November 8 and 10, in which lawyers for Restivo will accept the prosecution case but he will not enter a plea.