TWO men have been jailed for a total of 21 years after a drive-by shooting in Colchester.

East Anglian Daily Times: Dean EdwardsDean Edwards (Image: Archant)

Dean Edwards, 39, and Michael Cooper, 40, were found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Edwards, of Convent Close, Braintree was jailed for 15 years while Cooper, of Russell Road, Clacton was jailed for six.

Damage was caused to the wall of the TP Sports Bar in Queen Street, Colchester, during the early hours of September 15 after a shots were fired from a car.

One flew past a doorman working at the bar.

DI Stephen Jennings of Colchester CID said: “The result of the reckless and extremely dangerous actions of these two men could have been far worse. We could have been dealing with a murder.

“Thankfully these cases are extremely rare and I hope the outcome today demonstrates how seriously Essex Police takes these matters and will not tolerate this kind of behaviour.

“I am pleased these two dangerous men have been taken off the county’s streets.”