Two Years On Since Pirate Hunters Arrest
An ex-soldier from Ashington hopes the end is near after being trapped in India for two years.
Nick Dunn is one of six British men, including Catterick’s Nick Simpson and John Armstrong from Wigton in Cumbria, that were arrested on a ship in Indian waters back in 2013.
They’re among 35 crew members working for an anti-piracy firm accused of the illegal possession of firearms in Indian Waters
The original charges had been quashed and they were waiting to get their passports back to return home. However, earlier this year the Indian Supreme Court announced a new trial would get underway.
Last week the trial heard from witnesses but has now closed for holiday for a week.
29 years old Nick and his family tell us they hoping for a verdict by November.
Nick said:
“I’ve lost two birthdays here, two Christmas’ here; I’ve had to experience my mams health deteriorating while I’ve been in prison… I’m stuck in limbo most of the time, on pause.”
“The support is absolutely amazing though, it’s kept me going. If I could thank everybody in person I would. I feel very touched.”
“I have little nightmares of walking through the doors at Newcastle Airport. I freeze, overwhelmed – two years slaps me in the face and I break down into a complete mess, especially when I see my mam for the first time. It’s going to be the happiest day of my life.”
Lisa, Nick’s sister, said:
“We just never ever imagined that two years on we’d still be dealing with this situation.”
“It’s almost like we’re two years back. We can’t move on. We can’t get on with our lives until he comes home and this is over.”