British soldiers wrongly jailed in India for gun crimes dealt further blow as appeal is delayed by judge switch
Men were detained protecting shipping from pirates and jailed after failing 'to prove they were not a risk to security'
THE British war heroes wrongly jailed in India were dealt a further blow yesterday when their appeal was delayed.
The Chennai Six were pinning their hopes on being released on bail pending the outcome of the appeal.
But their bail hearing - due to be held next week - has been adjourned due to a new judge being appointed to the case.
Their UK-based lawyer Stephen Askins said the development was "seriously deflating" and added: "This remains a desperate tale." The men were detained in October 2013 while working on an anti-piracy vessel protecting ships from Somalian pirates in the Indian Ocean.
They were accused of not having correct gun permits despite their paperwork - issued by the British Government - being in order.
A judge ruled in January that they had failed to prove they were not a risk to national security and jailed them for five years.
The Sun has launched a campaign to get the men home for Christmas and Prince Charles, Prince Harry and Joanna Lumley have all sent messages of support.
The men are Nick Dunn, 30, of Ashington, Northumberland; John Armstrong, 29, of Wigton, Cumbria; Ray Tindall, 41, of Chester; Nicholas Simpson, 46, of Catterick, North Yorkshire; Paul Towers, 53, of Pocklington, East Yorkshire; and Billy Irving, 36, of Oban, Scotland.
Their families reacted with fury at this latest delay.
Billy Irving's father Jim said: "This is what the British Government say is a legal process they cannot intervene in?
"It is looking to me as if the British and Indian Governments are working on the premise that if they kick us often enough maybe we will go away. Well - no, we will not.
"God knows how the men will deal with this when they are told."
RIOTS AND MURDER
PUZHAL Central Jail houses 3,000 men and women and was dubbed Asia’s largest prison when it opened in 2006.
Authorities boast that it is a model prison but human rights activists have complained of overcrowding and a lack of medical facilities after a number of prisoners died.
Convicted Islamic terrorists rioted there just months before the men arrived. They used iron bars and home-made knives to attack guards, taking two hostage.
And in 2009 a gangland hitman was murdered in a row over an illicit mobile phone racket. Two other inmates slashed his neck with a piece of metal.
A former inmate said prisoners had to clean their toilets with mud at times as there was no water.
Nick Dunn's sister Lisa Dunn, 37, said: "I cannot believe it. It has been delay after delay. The men will be devastated." A Foreign Office spokesman said: "Our staff are continuing to support all six men and their families, as we recognise what a difficult time this is for them.
“Ministers have taken significant action on this case and we will continue efforts to make sure it is resolved swiftly."
More than 378,000 people have signed a petition urging Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to press for the men's release and more than £37,000 has been raised to fund their legal fight.
- To find out how to sign the petition and donate to the fund go to .