A father-of-one who admitted dropping a gun and leading Police on a chase was sentenced to 10 years behind bars.

Ricardo Alfonso Tucker, 30, pleaded guilty to possession of a Tec-9 9 mm semi-automatic pistol and possession of ammunition yesterday in Supreme Court.

Tucker, of Orchard Lane, Pembroke, denied not having a licence for the handgun but Crown Prosecutor Cindy Clarke asked for the charge to stay on file meaning it will not be proceeded with without an application from the court.

Ms Clarke told the court at 3 a.m. on March 2, Police were driving in a marked Police car on Marsh Folly Road, Pembroke when they saw a man speeding on a bike.

Officers put on sirens and followed the cycle along Dutton Avenue, catching up to him on North Street where the street was well lit by street lights and the car's headlights.

"Whilst the Police were following this cycle on Parsons Road, they saw the rider take his left hand off the handlebar and reach with his left hand into the rear side of his waist area.

"He pulled out what appeared to be a large black firearm and dropped it near the south east entrance of the basketball courts on Parsons Road near Two Way Lane Pembroke."

Ms Clarke said the officers noted when the pistol was dropped and continued to follow Tucker.

The defendant turned the cycle up Rambling Lane but lost control, fell off and tried to run away. Officers chased and caught him.

Ms Clarke told the court in a Police interview, Tucker admitted having the gun for his protection and claimed people were trying to kill him. He added he had been shot at.

The gun had a barrel length of 4.5 inches and was in working condition but needed to be cleaned. The magazine could hold 30 bullets but had nine in it.

The Tec 9 and its variants were banned in the United States more than 25 years ago.

It can also be converted to a fully automatic weapon.

Ms Clarke said while Tucker had no previous convictions in Supreme Court, his convictions in Magistrates' Court dated back to 1997 for unlawful assault, obstructing a Police officer and wilful damage.

The prosecutor suggested the mandatory minimum ten years for his sentence. She also suggested Tucker serve half his sentence before being eligible for patrol.

Defence counsel Mark Pettingill told the court his client was engaged and has a small child. "I say that I would take into account the early plea. I would like to indicate that the defendant has never been incarcerated and has certainly not been convicted of a serious offence. He's never been convicted in the Supreme Court."

Mr. Pettingill said his client was concerned about his four-year old daughter and the impact this will have on her life.

The lawyer also recommended the ten-year minimum mandatory sentence for Tucker.

Speaking to the court, Tucker said: "I made a bad choice on the circumstances. I have been fired upon a few times in my life. I have had death threats.

"I have been shot at. I never intended to use it. I just had it for my protection and I apologise to the court."

Sentencing him, Chief Justice Richard Ground said: "The fact that you may have had this for your protection, it's not permissible for people to carry firearms.

"I do accept in your favour that you plead guilty at an early stage and by doing so you showed that you owned up to your wrongdoing and that is important. I accept that your record is not serious and therefore don't hold your previous record against you. I think that your case is adequately dealt with by the mandatory minimum ten years and that's the sentence that I impose.

Mr. Justice Ground said Tucker must serve at least half the sentence before applying for parole. Tucker received ten years for each charge which will run concurrently.