Two men have been convicted after a large countryside rave.

The event, which took place in Bostal Road, Steyning, was reported to police on June 27 and 28, 2021, during the Covid pandemic.

At the time, around 90 arrests were made after officers went to the scene.

More than 60 individuals were then convicted of traffic offences including drink-driving and drug-driving over the following months.

READ MORE: WATCH: Moment officers shut down Steyning illegal rave

Sussex Police has now confirmed that two people have been convicted of offences linked to the set-up of the unlicensed event.

Declan Barnes, 27, of Grange Court, Hanham, Gloucestershire, pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance by being involved in transporting equipment to the rave.

At Lewes Crown Court on April 22, he was given an 18-month suspended sentence.

He was also fined £200 and is subject to a forfeiture order on seized music equipment including speakers, amps and Digital DJ Decks.

Andrew Fealty, 37, of Curzon Road, Bournemouth, previously admitted the same offence and has been bailed pending sentencing on May 20.

Police are now sharing footage of the rave to inform residents of their zero-tolerance approach towards unlicensed music events in the lead-up to two bank holiday weekends.

Assistant chief constable Howard Hodges 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.”

Detective Constable Paul Tonks said: “A huge number of officers and staff from Sussex Police and neighbouring forces were committed to this operation on the day.

"As arrests accumulated and traffic problems ensued, it caused a significant strain on our resources.

“It also had a major impact on the Steyning community.

"This was during COVID restrictions when no more than small groups were allowed to meet.

"After noise levels affected residents, they then had a day of lingering revellers risking the spread of the virus, followed by the wide-scale effect upon the environment.

"Local teams formed to deal with litter and pollution. There was extensive damage caused to agricultural land and distress caused to livestock.

“I hope the end result reassures the public that we are committed to bringing offenders for such matters to justice. Action will be taken against anyone responsible for any such future events.”