A four-year-old child was forced to flee for cover after a gun was fired during a “showdown” between two rivals.

The girl and her father were standing in the road as a weapon was fired just feet away from the frightened youngster.

Now, father and son Kinley and Imani Abrahams, from London, have both been sent to prison for more than four years for possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear.

Drug dealer Imani was involved in an ongoing feud with a man he believed had disrespected him.

The 23-year-old called his rival to say he was travelling to Melbourne Road, Chatham, on January 30 last year for a showdown.

Before the incident, some people armed themselves with items including baseball bats as the Abrahams travelled from south London.

Prosecutor Martin Yale told Maidstone Crown Court that as they arrived, the innocent father and daughter were walking along the road when a loud sound was heard.

Mr Yale said: "The plan had been for Imani to take revenge. The father and son were travelling in a stolen black VW Golf with false number plates.

"Imani was driving and Kinley held the blank-firing gun. He got out and fired the gun which made a loud bang. His rival's group then ran off and he then got back in the car and drove away.

Mr Yale added that the incident was caught on nearby cameras and shown to the judge.

"One of the aggravating features was the father, who was with his four-year-old daughter and they were in the line of fire when the weapon was discharged and had to dive for cover in fear of being shot, " he added.

The father later told police how he was visiting a relative when he saw a group of people.

Mr Yale continued: "Once he believed they were walking away, he got out but chose a rather unfortunate moment as suddenly the black Golf appeared.

"As the victim was in the line of fire he dived for cover, while the gunman pointed the weapon at the group saying: "You boys are dead, you are f*****g dead."

In a victim impact statement, the father admitted he feared the gun was real and his daughter was too frightened to play outside now.