Armed Police guarded a Court Street businessman as his drugs trial resumed yesterday 24 hours after someone tried to gun him down.

A prosecutor asked that Raymond Troy (Yankee Boy) Rawlins, 47, be remanded into custody for his own safety after the case wrapped up.

But defence lawyer Charles Richardson successfully argued that Rawlins should be left to look after himself explaining he'll be keeping "a low profile".

As previously reported, a shaken Rawlins appeared at Magistrates' Court with tears in his eyes on Wednesday morning, shortly after shots were fired outside his store, C&R discount on Court Street.

He turned to a friend in court and said: "They came around the corner and started shooting at me. They were shooting at anyone."

The same shop was targeted by a gunman who burst into it in May and shot and injured Rawlins' father Raymond Burgess Sr. and brother Raymond Burgess Jr.

Rawlins' trial for alleged possession of crack cocaine with intent to supply was due to resume on Wednesday morning. Magistrate Juan Wolffe adjourned it after hearing of the incident.

It resumed yesterday with a heavy Police presence inside and outside the courtroom. An officer directly outside the courtroom door had a handgun, and most wore bulletproof vests. The Magistrate restricted access to lawyers, the defendant, his family and the media.

After Rawlins spent the morning giving evidence in his own defence claiming the 11.76 grammes of cocaine was for his own use and not for supply prosecutor Cindy Clarke suggested his hesitant performance on the witness stand demonstrated he was uncomfortable with her questions.

Defence lawyer Mr. Richardson countered: "Mr. Rawlins is on the stand giving his evidence the day after he's been shot at, with armed Police officers in the courtroom. One might understand that he hesitated here and there. He might be nervous. I'm nervous!"

At this point, Ms Clarke asked the Magistrate to consider keeping the defendant in custody until the verdict later this month. She said she understood Wednesday's shooting at Rawlins "was in such a manner that it could be attempted murder".

She added: "My understanding is that the person who shot at Mr. Rawlins is not in custody. No-one has been brought to us for charge for attempted murder. My understanding is that two persons were involved. One person is in custody."

She added: "The only way that we can all be sure that Mr. Rawlins would in no way be harmed is to keep him in custody."

However, Mr. Richardson objected. He pointed out that before Rawlins' case started, a defendant named Brendon Robinson arrived, explaining he missed his court hearing on Wednesday because he got shot at.

Robinson who is charged with impaired driving did not specify where the incident happened and did not appear to be injured. Mr. Wolffe adjourned the case.

Mr. Richardson argued: "No-one made an application for him. If he's not kept in custody, why Mr. Rawlins?"

Asked by the Magistrate what Rawlins is doing to protect himself, Mr. Richardson replied: "Keeping a low profile." He added: "He wasn't the only person shot at on Court Street yesterday and nobody is trying to keep them in custody either. I don't want to go there, but is there a motive for keeping him in custody?"

Mr. Wolffe eventually ruled that although Ms Clarke's application was "justifiable" he was not satisfied, given the "limited information", that the defendant should be kept in custody. He will deliver his verdict later this month.

Rawlins and Mr. Richardson both declined to comment after the case.