An Argyll man trapped in India after being arrested and accused of gun running while on anti pirate patrols, fears he is facing his third Christmas away from home.
Billy Irving from Connel, near Oban, has been held in the country since October 2012 when his boat was boarded by the Indian coastguard.
During that time the 35-year-old has experienced squalid conditions in an Indian prison and lost his home, but has become a father and got engaged to long-term partner Yvonne MacHugh.
With his trial date finally imminent, Mr Irving is looking forward to getting on with his life, but fears he is facing another Christmas in exile.
He said: “I just want the trial to start so we can end this and I can get home to my family – Yvonne and my son William. As it stands it looks like I will miss Christmas again, this will be my third Christmas in India.
“I just hope and pray that and end will be soon, so that I can get on with my life.”
The case called at the Indian magistrates court last week and was handed over to the sessions court where the trial will be held. The next court date is Wednesday August 12, when the sessions court will fix a date for trial.
The supreme court has declared that the trial must not go on for any more than six months.
Mr Irving, a former soldier, and his shipmates were accused of gun running and thrown into jail in Chennai in October 2012.
The charges were quashed by an Indian court, releasing them from prison last year. But the police appealed against the court’s decision, preventing them from leaving the country.
Miss MacHugh, 26, visited Mr Irving when he was released from prison and their son, William Archie, was conceived. She then had to return to Scotland and gave birth without Mr Irving.
Last month she returned from a three-week trip to India during which time Mr Irving met his son for the first time and asked her to marry him.