Bristol Plane Spotters Hearing Postponed
Two plane spotters from Bristol accused of 'illegally' monitoring aircraft have had their court appearance adjourned.
46 year old Stephen Hampton from Keynsham and 56 year old Steven Ayres from St George were arrested two weeks ago after asking hotel staff for a room overlooking a runway at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.
The plane enthusiasts were found with an air traffic control scanner, laptop, binoculars and cameras.
They hoped to have their hearing dealt with today.
But they have been left ''devastated'' after being told the hearing will not go ahead until Friday at the earliest after the original magistrate was unable to attend.
Speaking from their hotel room in New Delhi, Steven Ayres said: ''This whole thing is a nightmare and is dragging on and on.
''It was devastating when we were told it would not be heard.
''Things are moving so slowly and, while we're constantly assured we'll be allowed home, nothing seems to happen.
''There's not a lot we can do and we're left alone with our thoughts. It's absolutely terrifying when you consider you could be spend three years in an Indian jail.''
The men avoided spying charges, which carry a jail term of up to 10 years, but were charged with a lesser offence under section 20 of the Indian Telegraph Act which can carry a three-year jail sentence and a fine.
They spent five days in a detention centre, before being released and have been staying in a £100 a night hotel since.
When the pair appeared at Patiala House Court in Delhi last month, they indicated they would plead guilty if the court accepted a fine as punishment.
Hampton and Ayres, both railway workers, were released on bail until the hearing, but are not allowed to leave the country.
Steven Ayres' wife Dorothy has slammed the Foreign Office for not keeping her informed.
She told us: ''The way this has been dealt with is an absolute joke. I only hear things through the media. No-one from the Foreign Office has bothered to call me.
''I'm worried sick and all this is putting a huge amount of pressure on me - I worry every day.''
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