Western Cape High Court Judge Elize Steyn said on Friday that there were no reasonable prospects of his proposed appeal succeeding, "neither is there any other compelling reason why the appeal should be heard".

During arguments last week, Packham's defence team said there was a reasonable prospect that another court might find him not guilty.

Packham, 58, was sentenced last month after being found guilty of murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Arguing for leave to appeal, defence advocate Craig Webster highlighted various reasons why he believed the identification of his client was deficient.

He also said that the cellphone evidence proved nothing.

Steyn said at the time that the cellphone data and evidence of Lance Govender showed that Packham was not where he said he was on the evening of his wife's disappearance.

She said Packham had pretended he went straight home after having dinner at his sister's home, but that his phone was off for an hour, which was strange for someone desperately hoping for news about his missing wife.

Webster maintained the cellphone evidence was neutral.

"His actions were just bizarre for somebody who just lost a wife," Steyn maintained.

Prosecutor Susan Galloway argued that there was no corroboration for Packham's version of events.

News24