TWO men who turned the streets of Canvey into the “Wild West” during a car chase in which they repeatedly blasted another vehicle with a shotgun are facing a total of 22 years in prison.

Conall Regan and Callum Hutchins were cleared of the attempted murder of the driver of a Volkswagen Golf and two passengers after a two-week trial at Basildon Crown Court.

But a jury found them guilty of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) to William Tatham, who was left with three shotgun pellets lodged in his neck in the early hours of August 6.

They were also convicted of the attempted GBH of Reece Naismith-Johnson and the car’s driver, a man known only as Woody.

A fourth passenger, Benjamin Betts, was not injured and was not involved in the charges.

The pair were also found guilty of possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life.

Regan, 22, of Thames Road, Canvey, called the jury “thick as sh**” and hurled a barrage of vile abuse as the foreman delivered the verdicts.

A supporter in the public gallery, which has been packed with friends and family throughout the trial, called the decision a “joke” and stormed out of the courtroom.

Regan was the shooter during the incident and fired from the window of a Ford S-Max, driven by Hutchins, 21, of Mornington Road.

They pursued the Volkswagen along Haven Road, Long Road and Link Road while continuously ramming it, until the car crashed onto a roundabout in Somnes Avenue.

The Ford was later found on fire in Second Avenue. 

It had completely burnt out by the time firefighters arrived and checks revealed it had been stolen from Shoebury in February.

Echo:

Prosecutors during the trial said at least five shots hit the Volkswagen but a witness claimed at least 24 shots were fired.

Craig Rush, mitigating for Regan, said although the incident was serious, the resulting injuries were not.

In the cases of Woody and Mr Naismith-Johnson, no medical evidence was produced despite their blood being found in the car.

John Caudle, mitigating for Hutchins, said it was a “relevant factor” that it was Regan and not his client “pulling the trigger” but he accepted both men were found guilty of a joint enterprise.

Judge John Lodge handed each man an 11 year prison sentence and said it was a “sustained assault involving a car chase across the greater part of Canvey”.

He said: “I see no reason to distinguish between you.

“I don’t know what caused it. It will always remain a mystery as to what caused you to act in that way.

“The courts will not permit this part of Essex to become like the Wild West.”

The pair were also given a five year sentence for the firearms charge, to run concurrently.

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Speaking after the hearing, Det Chief Insp Jon Burgess said: "This incident caused significant fear at the time within the community of Canvey, with concern that individuals were in possession of a firearm and prepared to use it following a feud. 

"Not only was it a miracle that those being shot at were not killed, but also that members of the public were not seriously injured. 

"It has been our aim right from the start to establish the truth about what happened and to bring those responsible to justice.

"I’d like to thank the team of dedicated officers, led by DS Jenny Payne, who have worked tirelessly on this investigation to take these dangerous individuals off the streets and further protect the community."