The partner of jailed pirate hunter Billy Irving has spoken of her anguish at being unable to contact him since his shock five-year jail sentence in India.
Yvonne MacHugh yesterday gave a glimpse into the squalid life the father of her infant son now faces in a jail on the sub-continent.
She revealed that even basics such as soap and toothpaste have to be brought in from the outside to the former soldier from Connel, near Oban, now in Palayamokotti Prison.
Speaking last night, she said: “The lawyers should have the judgement by now, they will be working on an appeal.
“I haven’t heard anything from Billy yet. An Indian friend of ours went to see him today. He was told that he has to come back tomorrow, he managed to pass a letter on from me but he didn’t get to physically see him.
“He also passed on a toothbrush and some soap, he will be back in tomorrow, hopefully he will be able to see him then.
“At least he has got the letter so he knows we are all OK and everybody is fighting for him.
“I don’t know yet about phone calls or visitation rights. I have a thousand questions right now for the Foreign Office but I can’t get through.”
Mr Irving was jailed on Monday along with 35 sailors and guards who were arrested on the anti-piracy ship MV Seaman Guard Ohio on 12 October 2013.
They were working for the American firm AdvanFort providing anti-piracy protection in the Indian Ocean when their ship was detained.
Indian authorities said weapons and ammunition on board had not been properly declared.
The Indian customs officials and police seized 35 guns, including semi-automatic weapons, and almost 6,000 rounds of ammunition.
The men were held in squalid conditions in prison for six months on illegal weapons charges before the charges were quashed.
But the Indian prosecutor appealed the decision and the men were unable to leave India and unable to work to earn a living, while awaiting trial.
Miss MacHugh visited Mr Irving in India when he was released after the charges were dropped, and their 10-month-old son William was conceived. She was forced to return to Scotland alone.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: “We recognise what a difficult time this is for those involved. There is now a 90 day window to appeal and we will continue to provide consular assistance. However, we cannot interfere in another country’s judicial process.”