A former U.S. sailor on Guam is appealing his 51-year sentence in connection with the assault and rape of a 47-year-old woman, according to his defense attorney.

Doyle Lamont Perry was convicted last August of three counts of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, one count of aggravated assault and one count of terrorizing, according to court documents.

The case stemmed from an attack at a Guam beach on May 27, 2006, when Perry was a U.S. sailor. Perry has since been separated from the Navy, according to his defense attorney, Howard Trapp.

This week, Trapp asked for a new trial, arguing the original trial judge in Perry’s case gave the jury conflicting instructions. A Guam assistant attorney general, Maryann Woloschuk, argued the instructions were sound, according to a report from KUAM-TV on Guam.

The appellate panel is expected to rule at a later time.