Hopes are fading fast that pirate hunter Billy Irving will be released from an Indian prison and home in Argyll in time for Christmas.
The final appeal hearing for the former soldier, from Connel, near Oban, took place in an Indian court last week.
His family is facing a tense wait to be given a date for the verdict on the appeal against the conviction.
Arguments concluded on Wednesday, however Mr Irving’s loved ones still have no idea when they will learn the verdict.
He was sentenced to five years alongside five colleagues in January. The men were detained on board an anti-piracy ship in 2013.
They were working as security guards on a US-owned ship, when they were arrested on illegal weapons charges.
During the appeal evidence that the ship had all the proper documentation for the weapons was submitted.
They have been suffering “horrific” conditions in jail.
Jim Irving, Mr Irving’s father, who has recently returned from a visit to his son, said: “By the time it gets through, with all the holidays, I really don’t see him getting home in time for Christmas. Although I would be quite pleasantly surprised if he his. We are ever hopeful, but I don’t think so.
“There has been no date given for a verdict. Everything has been through the court, it is up to the judge now to make a decision. We have no idea at all when it will be. The lawyer reckons it will be two weeks at least before there is any chance of hearing anything. The courts have made no indication at all as to when we will get a verdict.
“We are back to where we were, sitting waiting again. We are getting used to it. They keep putting it off and putting it off.”
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “Our staff are continuing to support all six men and their families, as we recognise what a difficult time this is for them.
“Ministers have taken significant action on this case and we will continue efforts to make sure it is resolved swiftly.”
