A furious row over a French-owned beach in Sussex descended into a gun battle, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Locals have been unable to access the West Beach in Newhaven since 2008 due to a French company that owns the beach erecting high fencing and razor wire.
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Since 2008, the beach has been the scene of repeated vandalism and break-ins, with residents arguing they should be within their rights to enjoy the beach.
On June 24, more than 100 people cut through the padlock on the metal gates with an angle grinder and invaded the beach during the heatwave.
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A court heard during the break-in, Michael Tuson, 44, pointed an air rifle at a security camera and opened fire.
The shooting caused £5,000 worth of damage, with Judge Stephen Mooney describing the act as a “gross act of stupidity”.
Tuson pleaded guilty to shooting the camera and to having an imitation firearm in a public place.
Judge Mooney said the shooting has achieved local notoriety.
Chris Judson, defence, said the shot was a spontaneous, absent-minded act.
“No, its not,” Judge Mooney responded. “There was a lot of publicity about this.
“He’s driven there, taken aim – and he’s a good shot by the looks of it – he’s tried to disable the camera but didn’t.
“I’m not saying he was a criminal mastermind, but it wasn’t spontaneous.”
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West Beach is operated by Newhaven Port & Properties, a company that is owned by public bodies in Seine-Maritime in northern France.
It has been closed due to safety concerns in 2008 and has not reopened since.
Following the protest in June, tougher security is set to be installed.
Police identified Tuson by his van, which was seen in video footage on the camera.
He was arrested after the vehicle was spotted in Eastbourne.
Prosecutor Puneet Grewal said Tuson shot at the camera through a window in the van.
“Footage shows he got out of his van, he looks at the camera, then goes back to the van.
“The camera glitches and goes black.”
Tuson was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months and given a £500 fine.
Local MP, Liberal Democrat James MacCleary, has been trying to get the area reopened.
He said: “My West Beach Bill is about fairness. It is about standing up for a community that has been shut out of its own seafront for far too long.
“Of course safety and harbour operations matter. But they cannot be used forever as a blanket excuse to keep people away from a much-loved public amenity.”
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