Aerial footage shows extent of mass Covid lockdown rave in West Sussex
Two more men have been convicted for their roles in the event in 2021
Police have released video footage showing the full scale of a massive rave in West Sussex during lockdown - after two more people admitted to playing a significant role in it.
Around 90 people were arrested at the event off Bostal Road in Steyning on June 27th and 28th, 2021, which is thought to have been attended by as many as 2,000 people.
More than 60 have since been convicted of traffic offences, including drink-driving and drug-driving.
Now officers are warning that anyone who plans to organise or attend an unlicensed music event in Sussex this summer can expect to face the full force of the law.
27-year-old Declan Barnes, of Grange Court in Hanham, Gloucestershire, pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance (namely being involved in transporting equipment to the rave).
At Lewes Crown Court on April 22nd, he was given an 18-month suspended sentence.
He was also fined ÂŁ200 and subject to a forfeiture order on seized music equipment (speakers, Amps and Digital DJ Decks).
37-year-old Andrew Fealty, of Curzon Road in Bournemouth, previously admitted the same offence and has been bailed pending sentencing on May 20th.
Four other men, from Hampshire, Dorset and Pembrokeshire in Wales had their cases for causing a public nuisance dismissed, with police deeming their participation 'insignificant'.
Assistant Chief Constable Howard Hodges from Sussex Police said:
"Our significant response to this event demonstrated that this sort of behaviour will absolutely not be tolerated in Sussex, and that anyone planning to attend or organise any future events of this nature can expect to face the same level of police response.
“Whilst we had no prior intelligence of this event taking place, and our subsequent investigations revealed the vast majority of attendees came from outside of Sussex, both these convictions and the forfeiture of associated sound equipment sends a really clear message that Sussex Police and the residents of Sussex will not tolerate this behaviour.
"We will always work with partners and landowners to prevent it from happening again and, as demonstrated, will be robust in our response which will include holding people to account through the courts however long it may take to do so."