TYCOON Owen Oyston has launched his fight for freedom - almost 12 months since being jailed.

A file of new evidence has been sent by lawyers to London where three judges are expected to considers whether to grant him leave to appeal against his six-year sentence for the rape and indecent assault of a 16-year-old model.

The owner of Blackpool Football Club, a chain of glossy magazines and two radio stations is now prisoner KE2535 in Wymott Jail, eight miles from the Preston offices where his wife Vicki runs the Oyston Group.

It is believed the application for leave to appeal against sentence and conviction will be made for Oyston by Anthony Scrivener, QC, who defended him in three long rape trials last year.

Oyston was acquitted of other offences in each of the three trials. He also faces a £500,000 civil action brought against him by the model girl.

Recently,Oyston's his wealth was reassessed at more than £103 million, putting him 178th in the 1997 Rich List, level with David Bowie.

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