A Cumbrian man jailed for firearms offences in India could serve his sentence in the UK.

John Armstrong, from Wigton, is one of six Britons – and 35 men in total – serving a five-year jail term in the country.

The men, who were all working on board the anti-piracy ship the Seaman Guard Ohio, have always vehemently denied any wrongdoing. They were eventually convicted after a trial of the illegal possession of firearms in Indian waters.

John, 27, and the other men are appealing their conviction – having already had the charges against them dropped once, before they were reinstated after an appeal by the Indian police. It had been hoped that they would have their conviction quashed but this has been dashed.

Hugo Swire MP, minister of state for India, has written to the MPs representing the six Britons.

He wrote: “The next key date (following the refusal of the bail application on February 29) will be June 1. This will mark the start of the crew’s appeal against the guilty verdict.

“We have no timeframes for the Indian legal process but we will continue to ask for this case to be heard promptly. The men’s case has moved comparatively quickly through the Indian legal process but we recognise that two-and-a-half years on from their arrest this continues to be distressing and stressful for the men and their families.”

Mr Swire continues: “We have had confirmation from the Indian authorities that clemency is not an option, as the men’s case does not fit the criteria for clemency. This means that a resolution can only be through the legal process.”

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has confirmed, through Mr Swire, that it has a Prisoner Transfer Agreement with the Indian authorities, and this is an option to be considered should the men’s appeal be unsuccessful.

<hr>

Related articles:

'I just want my old life back' says Cumbrian man locked up in India

Cumbrian man refused bail in India before appeal

Euro MP raises concerns over Cumbrian man's Indian prison term

Cumbrian man jailed for five years in India

However, it has been stressed that “once back in the UK it would not be possible for a prisoner to challenge the conviction in the UK courts” and that the Ministry of Justice would “strongly resist” any pressure to release a transfer early.

Such a transfer can only take place after the appeals process is completed and once the prisoner accepts the verdict. It could then take up to nine months.

John, whose family lives in Wigton, was arrested in October 2013 and has been unable to leave the country since.

None of the men have been paid by their employer – American firm Advanfort – since their arrest and are relying on the generosity of friends and family.

Mr Swire confirmed that the British Government had been in contact with Advanfort’s owner, and “reminded him of his responsibilities to the men”, but said he had “pleaded poverty”.