Bernard, Jim and David Mongan sentenced to two years in prison following incident near Elms Road, Red Lodge, which was 'like a film'

Three men have been sentenced to two years in prison following a shooting incident at a travellers' site in Red Lodge described as 'like a film'.

Bernard Mongan, 36, of Setchell Drove, Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, Jim Mongan, 31, of Corbin Lane, South Harrow, Middlesex, and David Mongan, 25, of Setchell Drove, Cottenham, all appeared at Ipswich Crown Court earlier today over their involvement in the incident near Elms Road, on April 4.

During the incident, two vehicles drove on to the site at around 2.30pm containing around eight men.

At least four gun shots were fired during the incident, causing one of the victims injuries to the head and chest, the court heard, and at one stage one of the men was heard to say it was 'his yard now'.

During the roughly 20 minute period the men were on site, they caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to caravans and vehicles with axes and machetes.

One victim described the incident, where young children were present, as 'like a film'.

Bernard, Jim and David Mongan all entered guilty pleas to a violent disorder charge each in October.

However, they said while they were aware one of their group was carrying a gun, none expected it to be used.

In mitigation for Bernard Mongan, barrister Brent Martin said his client expressed 'deep remorse' about the incident.

James Scobie, for David Mongan, said his client had 'acted out of character' during the incident, which he said was the same for all three defendants. He added his client was remorseful over what happened.

In mitigation for Jim Mongan, barrister Donal Lawler said his client had acknowledged he had made a 'rash' and 'stupid decision' and he was sorry for the impact the incident had had on the victims.

An impact statement from one of the victims was read out to the court, which said: "Nothing like this has ever happened to my family and it has turned our lives upside down.

“We live in constant fear and don’t know when this will stop."

Passing his sentence, Judge Martyn Levett said 'significant' harm, fear and distress had been caused by the three defendants during the incident.

He sentenced them to two years imprisonment and subjected them to a restraining order which means they cannot contact the victims either directly or indirectly for seven years.

The defendants are also banned from going to the traveller site in Elms Road for seven years.

All three defendants must pay a victim surcharge.

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