Lawyers for a St. John's physician convicted of drug trafficking and sexual assault are appealing his conviction and sentence.

Lawyers Randy Piercey and John Kelly filed the notice of appeal on Monday, arguing that Buckingham — who was convicted last month on a dozen charges — waited too long for his trial following a May 2005 arrest.

Dr. Sean Buckingham was convicted in December on 12 counts, including sexual assault and drug trafficking.
(CBC)

The lawyers argue Buckingham was denied a right to a timely trial.

A Newfoundland Supreme Court jury convicted Buckingham after hearing often sensational testimony from complainants who admitted they had sex with Buckingham to obtain prescription narcotics, particularly the powerful painkiller OxyContin.

Earlier this month, Justice James Adams sentenced Buckingham to a seven-year prison sentence, on top of the time he has already served in custody.

The appeal application also says Adams should have granted a mistrial when he learned that a jury member had a personal relationship with the lead police investigator in Buckingham's case.

As well, the application also argues that a wiretap authorization should not have been given to police investigating Buckingham.

His lawyers are also appealing his seven-year sentence on the grounds that it is too long, compared with the sentences imposed in similar cases.

Piercey and Kelly argued that Adams added up the penalties for each conviction incorrectly.

Buckingham wants the appeal to be heard by a judge and jury.