Two thugs have been jailed after “mayhem” erupted during a feud among travellers in which a caravan was set on fire and a gun was fired.

A heavily pregnant woman and others had to flee to safety when Bill Smith poured petrol through a broken window and threatened: “I will have yous. I will burn you out.”

Bill Smith Jnr ended up in hospital seriously injured as victims fought back with a Samurai sword and shovel.

Eli Smith, 23, was today sentenced to two years and nine months for violent disorder and 29-year-old Bill Smith Jnr, also known as Billy Boy, to 19 months for affray.

A judge told them: “The events that morning were an absolute disgrace. The fear this violent disorder instilled in victims must have been extreme.”

Bill Smith Snr, 53, had admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered and violent disorder, and will be sentenced in the New Year following the preparation of a psychiatric report.

Maidstone Crown Court heard there was bad blood over a piece of land between Bill Smith Snr and his brother Brian Smith Snr, who had not spoken since the death of their father.

“The events that morning were an absolute disgrace..." Judge David Griffith Jones QC

“That has been passed down to their sons,” said prosecutor Oliver Dunkin. “Whatever the rights and wrongs, the spark was a fly-tipping incident. There was going to be a straightener (fight) between the two sons.”

But on the morning of May 5 Bill Smith Snr, Bill Smith Jnr and Eli Smith went to the Five Kilns site in Stockbury Valley, Stockbury, just off the A249.

Mr Dunkin said Bill Smith Jnr drove a car at vehicles there, damaging them. Very quickly there was a revenge attack on him and he suffered an injury to his shoulder and a “grotesque” break to his leg.

Among those in the static caravan were Brian Smith Snr, Mary Matthews, Wester Smith and pregnant Paige Taylor.

Miss Taylor had been in bed in a spare room. Brian Smith Snr told “Wes” to get up as there were others on the site with weapons. Miss Taylor went to the kitchen to hide.

She heard the French doors being smashed and then saw Bill Smith Snr leaning through and pouring in petrol and making the threat to burn them out.

Miss Taylor managed to escape before the blaze started. Others in the caravan also fled, with Brian Smith jumping through a window.

Badly injured Bill Smith Jnr was taken to hospital in Maidstone by his girlfriend Toni Jo Coomber.

Mr Dunkin said some victims and witnesses refused to give statements to the police. There were difficulties in pursuing a gun charge, he added.

Havoc was wreaked at the site, he said, and damage was caused.

Eli Smith, 22, of Lewis Close, Faversham, and Bill Smith Jnr, of Miller Close, Kemsley, admitted the charges.

Bill Smith Jnr had committed 38 previous offences for drugs, assault, criminal damage, burglary and having an offensive weapon. Eli Smith had eight previous convictions for 16 offences.

Daniel Stevenson, for Eli Smith, said the married father-of-two had no previous convictions for violence. His wife had suffered a miscarriage earlier this year.

“William Smith Snr was plainly the leader, but you two were enthusiastic lieutenants...” Judge David Griffith Jones QC

Passing sentence, Judge David Griffith-Jones QC said the pair had gone to the site with Bill Smith Snr “intent on causing mayhem”.

“William Smith Snr was plainly the leader, but you two were enthusiastic lieutenants,” he continued.

Eli Smith was the principal lieutenant to his uncle and in the forefront of the action throughout.

“Manifestly, you will have appreciated what your uncle was up to, but yet participated in the mayhem,” he said. “The threats of violence were extreme.

“You knew among the victims was a heavily pregnant woman. I accept it was not your intention anyone should be injured, although he risks were surely evident and the caravan was destroyed.

“Clearly, a prison sentence is demanded, and one of some length.”

The judge said Bill Smith Jnr played a lesser role, but went to the site with “malevolent intention” and was a man who “paid no heed in a civilised society”.

Brian Smith, 23, and Wester Smith, who were both living at the site, are due to stand trial in the two-week period beginning January 14 on a charge of wounding him with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.