No evidence was produced to prove a man accused of attempted murder had a real gun, a jury was told yesterday.

In addition the victim of a nightclub shooting fell forward when shot, although the man alleged to have carried out the shooting was standing in front of the man, the Supreme Court was told.

Mr. Mark Pettingill was summing up his defence of Charles Roger Richardson, 24, of Harrington Sound Road, Smith's Parish.

Richardson denies attempted murder, wounding with intent, unlawful wounding, using a firearm and possession of a prohibited weapon.

During the two-week long trial the court has heard that Ian Jason Simmons, who is also known as DeSilva, was shot four times in the upper body and arm and was in intensive care for ten days.

A bullet also hit Jermaine Lovell in the hand during the alleged incident at the Spinning Wheel club on March 29 last year.

The court has heard that Richardson was at one side of the bar when a fight broke out at the other side, where Simmons and members of the White Wall Crew were.

Yesterday, Mr. Pettingill said: "None of the witnesses were able to say that Charles Richardson had a real gun.

"If he did, why did the metal detectors at the Spinning Wheel not pick it up.'' The club doormen use detectors as people enter and Richardson maintained he only had a cap gun.

"These men from the White Wall Crew went over to Charles Richardson. None of them are going to confirm that he had a real gun, because they cannot.'' He said there was evidence that Simmons fell forward when shot, although Richardson was supposed to be in front of him, and that the crime scene was contaminated before forensic officers could arrive.

"A sound clash was playing at the time of the incident, it was dark, there was no natural light and the club was full of people,'' Mr. Pettingill told the jury.

"Charles Richardson never admits to shooting anyone. In interviews with the Police he denies consistently that he ever shot anyone.'' In summarising the prosecution's case, Ms Charlene Scott said: "We cannot dispute the fact that someone was shot and seriously injured and that a gun was used. Cap guns do not hurt people.'' She told the jury: "Hearing the evidence, you are reminded that Mr. Simmons said he saw Charles Richardson pointing something at him. It angered him so much he decided to go and do something about it.

"That is when there was a scuffle (between Simmons and Richardson), they moved around to the other side of the bar and that is when Mr. Simmons was shot.'' She said cartridges and bullets were found inside the club and Charles Richardson was seen several weeks before the incident with a gun and that in statements to the Police Richardson never mentioned a cap gun.

Richardson had said the gun went off as he struggled with Simmons and other people who were trying to grab the gun. "If it went off accidentally, how is it that other people did not get shot?'' asked Ms Scott.

"It was focused on one person and that person got shot four times,'' she added.

The trial continues today before Puisne Judge, the Hon. Mr. Justice Meerabux.