John Lilley is to appeal against his conviction

Lilley's lawyer Paul Rendell said his client was disappointed and angry and would appeal against the conviction.

Speaking before the verdict Mr Rendell said: "If he is convicted, which we hope he will not be, he will appeal immediately.

"Whatever the outcome, Mr Lilley would ask that his and his family's privacy be respected by the media."

Defence counsel Giorgio Gallico told the court last week that Mr Lilley had been the victim of circumstances and should be acquitted.

Lilley had initially been praised as a hero after the tragedy on the lake in the north of Italy.

However, he was later charged, with others, over the incident as he had hired the boat using his British driving licence and was therefore in charge under Italian law.

Summing up

Schoolteacher Mr Harris and his two sons Timothy and Luke lost their lives when the boat overturned in a sudden storm.

Lilley and his two children, Andrew and Alison, survived, along with Catherine Harris, the mother and wife of the victims.

They were rescued the morning after the accident by a passing rubbish boat.

Richard Harris: Lost with his two sons

In his summing up at the trial in Brescia, Mr Gallico denied that Mr Lilley had been imprudent, as alleged by the prosecution, which has called for a 22-month prison sentence.

Mr Gallico said: "Mr Lilley will have to live with the torment of what happened that night for the rest of his life.

"What Mr Lilley did that night was to follow his instincts of survival and to follow the nautical code.

"He tried to head towards the shore. His conduct was not imprudent, and as such I believe he should be absolved of the charges against him as he found himself in a very difficult situation."

The 22-month sentence sought by the prosecution has been viewed as substantially less than the maximum 12 years Lilley could have been given.

The prosecution has also asked for jail sentences for three police officers, who allegedly had failed to carry out a proper search and Luca Peroni - the son of the boat owner - for not explaining the changing weather patterns on the lake, safety procedures, or safety equipment.