US Edition 
British sailors given India jail time for weapons charges on anti-piracy mission
The five-year terms for the former servicemen were imposed two months after David Cameron wrote to Narendra Modi, Indian prime minister, to urge their release
Six British ex-servicemen have been sentenced to five years in prison in India on firearms charges after an arms cache was found on their anti-piracy vessel.
The sailors’ families reacted with dismay after earlier hoping that the men would be coming home when charges were dropped at an earlier stage in proceedings.
Campaigners vowed to intensify efforts on behalf of the men, who consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The court verdict in Tamil Nadu came just two months after David Cameron wrote to Narenda Modi, his Indian counterpart, appealing for the return of the men.
The charges were dropped at one stage. But the Indian authorities appealed against that decision and have now won their case.
The former military personnel were working as security guards for AdvanFort, a US firm that provides armed protection services to vessels sailing through the so-called "pirates' alley" between the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
The weapons were found when their ship was intercepted by the Indian coastguard in Oct 2013. Officials said there were 35 guns, including semi-automatic weapons, and almost 6,000 rounds of ammunition on board the ship which did not have permission to be in Indian waters.
AdvanFort says the ship was detained outside Indian territorial waters, had stopped only to refuel after being affected by a strong cyclone, and had legally purchased and properly documented all weapons on board.
All 35 sailors and guards on the boat received five-year sentences and were ordered to pay 3,000 rupees (£30).
In a letter sent to Mr Modi shortly before his visit to London in November, Mr Cameron said that the case was causing the sailors' families immense mental agony as well as financial hardships.
The sentenced men are Nick Dunn, from Ashington, Northumberland, Billy Irving, from Connel, Argyll, Ray Tindall, from Chester, Paul Towers, from Pocklington, East Yorkshire, John Armstrong, from Wigton, Cumbria, and Nicholas Simpson, from Catterick, North Yorkshire.
The court in Tamil Nadu concluded that that the vessel was not properly licensed.
As they were led away after the sentences were handed down, Mr Dunn said: "They have no evidence against us to say we've committed any crime and yet they have found us guilty.
"I have done six months in prison, I've done 27 months in total and now they've sentenced me to do a further five years. This is absolutely disgusting."
Mr Armstrong said: "I should be surprised but I'm not. I'm a bit speechless but I'd seen it coming. We will appeal, but I don't know when because I haven't spoken to the lawyer."
In Britain, Mr Irving's partner, Yvonne MacHugh, said: "After two long years of fighting to get my partner Billy home I'm devastated with today's verdict. For the next five years our son won't have a father at home."
The men have 90 days to lodge an appeal. A Foreign Office spokesman said that Britain “cannot interfere in another country's judicial process."
He said: “Our staff in India and the UK have been in close contact with all six men since their arrest to provide support to them and their families, including attending court.
"Ministers have also raised this case at the highest levels, pressing for delays to be resolved.