Singh had been warned about lying

In giving evidence to the inquiry, Singh insisted the flat had a working smoke alarm when the two students moved in, but this was rejected.

The inquiry heard that the basement flat in Melrose Street, Woodlands, Glasgow, had metal bars over the windows which prevented the occupants from escaping.

It also heard from James's mother Lucy Fraser who recalled how her son died only hours after he phoned to ask her to bring smoke alarms to the flat.

Sheriff Maciver said Singh's denials of the truth had "protracted the suffering of the families" of the dead men.

Families should be able to send their children to the city safe in the knowledge that they are living in safe accommodation

Lucy Fraser

The families were entitled to get answers about their deaths to "alleviate some of their grief", he said.

James's father Sandy said he was "satisfied with the verdict".

Mrs Fraser added: "It has been a very emotional week for the two of us. It has been full of ups and downs.

"We are grateful for what the jury did. Families should be able to send their children to the city safe in the knowledge that they are living in safe accommodation.

"This honours James' memory and now we can really put him to rest."

Singh smiled at a group of his relatives sitting in the public benches as he was led to the cells.