Bermuda Housing Corporation fraudster Terrence Smith plans to appeal against his conviction, and is seeking advice from a senior overseas defence lawyer.

Former Property Officer Smith was found guilty last Wednesday of siphoning off more than $1.2 million of taypayers? money from the organisation?s coffers.

The 45-year-old was told by Chief Justice Richard Ground that he faces an almost inevitably substantial prison sentence and was remanded into custody. Smith?s lawyer, Larry Scott, asked for a Social Inquiry Report ? which gives the sentencing judge information about the circumstances of a crime ? to be done. He indicated after the hearing that he would discuss an appeal with his client.

The case was listed for mention at the monthly arraignments session at Supreme Court yesterday afternoon, during which Mr. Scott withdrew the application for a Social Inquiry Report.

When Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves asked whether he wished ? in light of this ? for the court to sentence Smith as soon as possible, Mr. Scott said ?yes, as soon as it?s convenient?. Smith was remanded into custody, and it was arranged that a date for sentencing will be fixed.

However, when asked after the hearing whether plans to appeal had been dropped, Mr Scott told that he has received instructions from Smith to apply for an appeal.

Although he declined to give any information on these plans, Mr. Scott said more would be known ?as soon as I have had further consultation with senior counsel from overseas?.

He would not comment on which overseas lawyer has been approached, but said the Social Inquiry Report was not wanted as ?that report would ask my client to explain why he did the offence, and I don?t wish him to be questioned.?

A number of high-profile cases have seen involvement from senior QCs from abroad in recent times.

The Court of Appeal heard in November that Amenemhat Tamerry, who was convicted of the manslaughter of his ten-month-old daughter A-Maya in 2004, wishes to enlist the help of top English barrister Courtenay Griffiths through legal aid.

Mr. Griffiths represented defendant Kenneth Burgess during the Cooper twins? murder trial earlier this year, with another top English QC, John Perry, representing co-defendant Dennis Alma Robinson.

The family of murdered Canadian teen Rebecca Middleton are considering hiring British Prime Minister Tony Blair?s wife, Cherie Booth, for a private prosecution.