John Lilley: Was hailed as a hero

Prosecutor Cesare Bonamartini, on Monday, said the night had been dramatic and that the court would not be able to forget Mrs Harris's emotional testimony.

Last month she described to the hearing in Brescia how she watched her husband and two children die after they were all thrown into the storm tossed lake.

The 22-month prison sentence is considerably less than the maximum 12-year sentence the manslaughter charge carried although the trial judge will have the final decision in terms of sentence.

Mr Bonamartini said: "His conduct was imprudent and he didn't take enough notice of the safety equipment on the boat.

"Mr Lilley was the commander and therefore he was responsible for the safety of the passengers.

"He should have made sure he was aware of all the safety equipment onboard the boat.

"At the same time he didn't make sure the children put lifejackets on."

Richard Harris: Drowned along with his sons

The prosecutor also said Mr Lilley was obliged to find out about the available safety equipment.

But when he made his recommendations for sentence, Mr Bonamartini said Mr Lilley had been the "victim as well as the author of the tragedy".

The survivors spent more than 12 hours in the water before they were eventually rescued the following morning by a passing boat.

Mr Bonamartini also said that one of the boat hirers, Luca Peroni, should be sentenced to one year and two months while his father Romolo should be cleared.

The prosecution also said that three police officers, also co-accused of negligence for their part in the tragedy, should be cleared while another three should be sentenced to between 14 and 20 months.

Mr Lilley was not in court for the hearing which was adjourned until later this month when his defence lawyers will give their summing up before the judge retires to consider his verdict.