A robber who took part in a "military style" invasion of a travellers' camp has had his sentence cut.

Brady Alex Dewson, 26, was jailed for 12 years at Maidstone Crown Court in January 2017 after admitting conspiracy to rob.

Dewson, of Latimer Road, Eastbourne was one of at least 20 men who swarmed into the Forstal Road camp, in Lenham on April 26, 2016.

Occupants of the site, including women and children, were terrorised, London's Appeal Court heard on Friday.

Mr Justice Nicol said the “military style” invasion was sprung at night, after careful planning and preparations.

Gang leaders believed there were large amounts of cash on the site and staged a detailed recce the night before the raid.

As a result, they decided they needed more men and that led to Dewson’s last-minute “recruitment” into the conspiracy, the court heard.

The raiders stormed in wearing masks and bearing weapons such as baseball bats, while shotguns were also carried and discharged.

“This group of young men from disparate locations acted as an organised and cohesive group,” said Mr Justice Nicol.

The Crown Court judge had likened them to “a platoon of soldiers invading a camp”.

“They terrorised the residents on the site, who included women and children...” Mr Justice Nicol.

The raiders targeted specific individuals they believed had access to cash, binding them with cable ties.

“They terrorised the residents on the site, who included women and children,” added Mr Justice Nicol.

Dewson’s case reached the Appeal Court as he challenged his sentence, which he claimed was far too tough.

His lawyers pointed out that Dewson was a “late recruit and did not take part in the recce or in buying the items used in the offence”.

Mr Justice Nicol, who was sitting with two other appeal judges, said: “We consider there is force in that submission.

“Putting it all together, we conclude that the judge’s sentence was too high.

“We quash the 12-year sentence and substitute one of 10 years six months.”