British war veterans rotting in tough Indian prison for crimes they did not commit beg for Government to help them
The ex-soldiers were jailed in January after being detained and accused of importing weaponry for jihadists by Indian officials
SIX British war heroes rotting in an Indian prison for a crime they did not commit begged yesterday: “Please help us, we’re desperate.”
The ex-soldiers, with a combined 74 years of service, were jailed in January after being detained as they protected ships from Somali pirates. Indian officials accused them of im- porting guns for jihadists, even when told their weapons were legally held.
They are now serving five years in Chennai. Ex-Para Nick Dunn pleaded: “We need help. Without our military training, we’d have fallen apart.”
One of six ex-soldiers wrongly jailed in India urged the UK Government to stand by them yesterday — “as we stood by Queen and Country when we served”.
Nick Dunn, who fought militants in Iraq and Afghanistan while proudly wearing the uniform of 1 Para, was caged with five pals over gun-running claims.
But the Brits insist they were involved in an operation to protect ships from Somali pirates — and their weapons were lawfully held to carry out their jobs.
All six were first detained by coastguard officials, then handed five-year terms in January when a court ruled they had failed to prove they were not importing guns to arm jihadist terror gangs.
With the Government unable to secure their release, The Sun travelled to Chennai’s grim Puzhal Central Prison to visit the men — taking vital supplies including teabags, tomato ketchup, sweets and toilet paper.
And we secretly filmed Nick, 30, make a desperate plea for help from the outside world.
Now known as Prisoner 6158 and wearing prison-issue white T-shirt and shorts, he said: “We are desperate, we need help.
Nick Dunn: Served in Afghanistan
BRAVE Nick Dunn served with 1 Para for six years before leaving in 2010 to work for private security firms.
He and two other British soldiers cheated death in 2007 when a blast blew apart the armoured Land Rover in which they were travelling in Afghanistan.
Nick, pictured in jail, was hurled out of the wreckage, but without hesitating ran to check his comrades were OK.
Luckily all three escaped with minor injuries and were taken back to base.
Billy Irving: Served in Iraq
FORMER Para Billy Irving has missed almost every day of his 18-month-old son’s life while locked up in India.
Fiancee Yvonne MacHugh, 27, fell pregnant while visiting 35-year-old Billy as he was on bail awaiting trial.
Baby William has seen him for only a few weeks. Pharmacy worker Yvonne said: “It’s been sheer hell, a nightmare. It’s bad enough Bill being jailed for a crime he didn’t commit — but to miss his son growing up is worse.”
Billy did tours of Kenya, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan as a 1 Para corporal. He is still with reserve unit 4 Para.
John Armstrong: Served in Afghanistan
JOHN served with 3 Para, including a six-month tour of Afghanistan before getting a job in anti-piracy security.
He has lost more than 3st in jail, is now stick-thin and has been taken to hospital with infections.
His family spend £60 a week sending him food parcels. Sister Joanne Tomlinson, 30, of Wigton, Cumbria, said: “It costs a fortune but what’s the alternative? We are not going to let him starve.
“All John wants is to come home, move back in with Mum and Dad. The sentence was an utter shock. Our health has taken a bashing.”
Ray Tindall: Elite sniper
MUM Carole Edmonds says she sobs every night for jailed son Ray Tindall.
The 60-year-old had no idea he had given up his job as a butcher to work on an anti-piracy security vessel until she saw news reports of his arrest.
Carole, of Hull, said: “I struggle to sleep through worry. I’m very angry our Government has not done more.”
Divorced dad-of-three Ray, an elite sniper, did 12 years with the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment before leaving to train LA cops.
He later joined up again and served with the 1st Battalion Welsh Regiment.
Paul Towers: 13 years' service
BEARDED Paul served for 13 years with 1 Para before working as a prison officer for 20 years.
Son Jordan, 22, has set up a Facebook page called Free the Beard in a bid to secure his dad’s release.
Paul’s wife Ann, 56, is a former sergeant. She said when her husband was jailed: “I’m devastated.
Between Paul, myself and son we have served Queen and country for nearly 65 years.
“So I’m hoping that now this crushing decision has come that they’ll step up.
“There have been talks but we need something more robust.”
Nicholas Simpson: Army for 24 years
NICHOLAS, a former sergeant in the 1st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, was in the Army for 24 years.
He had worked in maritime security for a year before his arrest.
Wife Tracy, 45, lives with their two young sons in the garrison town of Catterick, North Yorks.
She has said: “It has been terrible, devastating, a complete nightmare.
“The boys are gutted.
“It is a long time to be away from your family.
“We miss him very much.
“These are just normal guys doing a job, they belong at home with us.”
LEGAL FIGHT OVER GUNS
BRITS in the anti-piracy team were given permits to carry the guns by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills.
The Indian High Court at first accepted the paperwork was in order and dismissed the case.
But the police appealed and another court decided the men had failed to prove they were not gun runners arming militants.
In January they were found guilty by the court and sentenced to five years.
Lawyers are now preparing an appeal.