It was described by one of the victims as like a "scene from a gangster movie".

Two men dressed in long black overcoats, wearing masks and brandishing hand- guns, opened fire on four men in a garage. In the chase that ensued, shots were fired, and minutes later the episode was over, with two men lying seriously injured in a crashed car as they fled for their life, and a 21-year-old dead on the ground, shot in front of his uncle.

The events of the afternoon of December 6, 2006, in Lambhill, Glasgow, left Michael Lyons dead, his cousin Steven, 27, and friend Robert Pickett, 41, seriously injured.

Local people had warned gangland rivalry would lead to blood on the streets.

A member of the Lyons family, well-known in the Milton and Lambhill area, had previously been the target of a shooting attempt and concerns were raised with police and politicians about activity related to a community centre run by the dead man's uncle, Eddie Lyons.

The triple shooting took place yards from a special needs school in Lambhill towards the outer edge of northern Glasgow.

The school was the venue for an already planned public meeting for local people to discuss with police and politicians their growing concerns about rising crime and gangland violence in the area.

The shootings began when Raymond Anderson and James McDonald walked into Applerow Motors and began firing at the men inside. One chased and shot at Michael Lyons and his uncle David, the garage owner. The other chased Michael's cousin, Steven, and his friend Robert Pickett, who tried to escape in a car.

Michael Lyons was fatally wounded, while Steven Lyons was shot in the leg and back, and Robert Pickett was left in a coma and lost a kidney due to the shooting.

Pickett, who has served 12 years for attempted murder, later laughingly suggested during the trial that the wrong men were in the dock.

Despite his evidence, the trial at the High Court in Glasgow ended yesterday with record sentences for Anderson and McDonald. Lord Hardie jailed them both for life, with the punishment part of the sentence set at 35 years, the highest set by a Scottish court.

David Lyons, 48, told the court how he saw his nephew dying after the shooting. He said during the trial: "I went to pick Michael up but I saw the gun still pointing at us. I had to run."

He returned to his nephew after the gunmen fled. He added: "There was no colour in him. I knew there was no hope. Looking at him I was sure he was dead."

Steven Lyons told the court that the shooting incident was "like a scene from a gangster movie". He said: "One of the guys must have had a shot at me. I got hit in the leg.

"It snapped my bone and I just fell, that was it. From what I recall that was the last shot."

The court also heard that David Lyons received a "ransom note" delivered to his home 10 days after the shooting. It read: "The boys owe me £25,000 and I want what's owed to me. It's for drugs. They all know what it's about. The money doesn't matter to me as it's got to be paid to the piper.

"I don't want the police, the boys, not even your wife, knowing about it. If you keep them out of this then all your lives can go back to normal as we are all losing money through this.

"If you have any tricks for my pickup man then all the deals are off. Remember to keep your mouth shut. No cameras, no surveillance, as the pickup man doesn't know nothing so he's no use to you.

"Drop off, 4pm Saturday. I'll draw you a map and X will mark the spot."

Mr Lyons said he didn't pay the money and handed the letter to the police.

Anderson and McDonald were arrested following a police surveillance operation, which led to a find of machine guns and ammunition, with taped conversations providing incriminating evidence.

Passing judgment, Lord Hardie said gangster activity would not be tolerated and warned the public must help put criminals behind bars.

He told the pair: "It is a matter of extreme concern for society at large that organised criminals should have access to firearms. It is even more concerning that they are prepared to use them."