THREE men have been jailed for life for killing a "quiet and gentle" North-East naturalist during a visit to India.

Jagat Singh, Lal Singh and Satish Soni, all aged between 20 and 25, were found guilty of murdering and robbing David Green on January 15.

The 53-year-old, from Darlington, was shot in the back as he sketched wildlife on the bank of the River Betwa, near the town of Orchha, in Madhya Pradesh state.

Superintendent Manmeet Singh, an officer dealing with the case in India, said yesterday: "All three men have a history of committing robberies and using guns. They also come from a criminal family."

He said the trial had been held swiftly, as cases can often take years to get to court in India, in a bid to ensure witnesses were not subjected to intimidation.

Mr Green's brother, Michael, expressed the family's relief that the case was dealt with quickly and that no one involved was sentenced to any kind of corporal punishment.

"We have never wanted any kind of vengeance for David," he said. "David was a very quiet, gentle person, who did not believe in violence at all. Obviously, we accept people who commit murders must be taken out of society for a period of time.

"We are just glad that this side of things is now over and we can grieve for David."

He said they were hoping to have Mr Green's diary, and the sketch he was working on when he died, returned to them now the trial was over.

"We take comfort in the fact David had a full life. We expect he died quickly and know he was doing something he loved in the place where he found the greatest peace."

Mr Green lived with his mother, Edna, 85, in Darlington, and was well-known in the area as a respected naturalist and wildlife artist. He illustrated David Bellamy's book Back Yard Safari.

He had travelled to India every other year for seven years to sketch the flora and fauna, and came to know and love the people there.

He had arrived in Orchha, which is known for its medieval temples and palaces, last November, and was to return home in February.

His mother has said Mr Green liked to be quiet and was a very gentle person, who was so concerned he might hurt even a fly that he refused to drive, preferring to walk everywhere.

A community woodland, near Skerningham Manor, Darlington, has been named Dave's Wood in memory of Mr Green, who is buried there.