A 29-year-old man admitted shooting two men when he appeared amid high security at Maidstone Crown Court.

Police surrounded the building and people were checked in and out of the courtroom when Gerry Connors, flanked by four prison officers, appeared in the dock.

Connors had been due to stand trial for the attempted murders of Paul Saunders and John Saunders following a shooting incident at a gypsy camp in Upchurch, near Gillingham, on May 2 last year.

But on Friday he admitted causing the two men grievous bodily harm with intent as well as several firearms offences.

Connors had originally denied nine charges but after discussions with his defence team pleaded guilty to six of the offences.

As well as admitting causing grievous bodily harm with intent to John Saunders and Paul Saunders, Connors also pleaded guilty to attempting to cause grevious bodily harm with intent to Junior Palmer.

The court heard this related to an incident in London, also on May 2.

Connors further admitted three offences of possessing a firearm - an automatic handgun - with intent to cause fear of violence.

His pleas of not guilty to two charges of attempted murder and one of robbery were accepted. The prosecution is expected to offer no evidence to the robbery charge and ask that the two attempted murder charges be left on file.

Prosecutor Jonathan Higgs referred to Connors’s basis of plea when he told the court that Connors accepted shooting both Paul and John Saunders but had not intended to kill either of them.

"He specifically disputes that he put the gun to the head of John Saunders and Paul Saunders and pulling the gun with it not working," said Mr Higgs.

In relation to the incident involving Mr Palmer, Mr Higgs said Connors accepted he had brandished a loaded gun but had not fired it.

Connors, of Haycroft Road, Surbiton, Surrey, was arrested in Dublin on May 18 and extradited back to the UK.

He was remanded in custody until Monday, April 24, when he will return to Maidstone Crown Court and the facts of the case will be fully opened. Sentence is expected to be adjourned for reports.