MONCTON, NB -The man at the center of a high profile kidnapping and sexual assault case in Moncton has been denied leave to appeal his conviction and sentence.

Romeo Jacques Cormier went before the New Brunswick Court of Appeal in April arguing for a  new trial.

He argued that his lawyers didn’t represent him properly, the judge was biased and that his sentence was too long.

Cormier is serving 18 years for kidnapping, sexual assault and unlawful confinement of a Moncton woman.

The victim, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, was grabbed outside of the Highfield Square Mall in February of 2010.

She was held captive in a rooming house basement on Sixth Street for about a month before she escaped.