Jailed attacker Owen Bygraves, who was part of a gang who tortured a woman in Swindon, has failed to get his sentence quashed.

Bygraves, 44, of The Maltings, Royal Wootton Bassett, was jailed for seven years in in April 2012, after being found guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Swindon Crown Court heard he was seen to be watching and laughing as his two accomplices tortured Lydia Bird with a Taser and a dog chain at a flat in Toothill in June, 2011.

Yesterday he challenged his conviction at London's Criminal Appeal Court, arguing the trial judge misdirected the jury.

But his complaints were thrown out by three of the country’s top judges, who said there was no reason to doubt the safety of his conviction.

The court heard Bygraves and his two accomplices, Samuel Ackah and Lewis Hicks, went to the flat in Toothill with the intention of confronting another man they were looking for.

But, after the trio found Miss Bird there, she was attacked with a dog chain and stun gun – which left her with a scar from a severe burn.

Ackah, 36, of County Road, Swindon, who used the taser on the victim, had been handed the weapon by 33-year-old Hicks, of Exmoor Close, Taw Hill, Swindon.

Bygraves, who had gone to the flat armed with a piece of wood, was seen laughing as Miss Bird screamed in agony.

All three denied wounding with intent but were convicted by a jury. Ackah was jailed for 10 years and Hicks for eight. Challenging his conviction, Bygraves argued that the trial judge failed to explain to jurors potential weaknesses in the evidence used to identify the attackers.

But, dismissing his appeal, Mrs Justice Lang said: “In our judgment, it cannot be argued that the judge's approach was wrong.”

Sitting with Lord Justice Pitchford and Mr Justice Cooke, she added: “Overall, we conclude that there is no basis for doubting the safety of the conviction.”