Fugitive Omari Gordon was yesterday sentenced to ten years behind bars after firing a single gunshot as he was chased by Police in Pembroke.

Gordon, 28, from Roberts Avenue, Devonshire, admitted to unlawfully discharging a firearm in public on November 29, 2008 in Middletown.

He was on the run from Police for more than a year — and was found at a Sandys home last January, following a tip-off from a member of public.

At an arraignments session last month he denied a further charge of using the firearm to resist arrest.

The court agreed not to proceed with the second charge, but said it would remain on file.

Yesterday Gordon, represented in Supreme Court by defence lawyer Charles Richardson, said: "I would like to accept full responsibility for my actions. My intentions were never to hurt anybody and I just want to apologise for all the stress and heartache I have caused all my friends and family."

The court heard Gordon was riding a cycle without illuminated headlights near Church Street in Pembroke at 3 a.m. on November 29, 2008. Four officers in a Police car at the junction with Parliament Street noticed the offence and followed the cycle, signalling for the rider to stop.

Gordon looked back at the officers, but continued riding and a high-speed chase ensued. Gordon eventually lost control of the cycle and ran down a dirt foot path towards Curving Avenue.

Three of the officers pursued on foot and eventually found Gordon standing with his hands fidgeting inside his jacket pocket. Moments later they heard a sound similar to a gunshot and saw a flash of light come from his direction.

Gordon escaped down the footpath, while the officers ran back to their car and called for armed Police assistance.

Prosecutor Takiyah Burgess yesterday said the damage caused by firearms offences in the community was "immeasurable".

Such offences resulted in the loss of security and safety to the public and could appropriately be dealt with through a ten- to 15-year jail term, she said.

However, Mr. Richardson maintained his client did not use the firearm to endanger the lives of any Police officers, evidenced by his not guilty plea.

"He never admitted to harming any Police officer and it was never his intention to do so," he said, advocating for less than ten years' imprisonment.

Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves took into account Gordon's early guilty plea, previous good record and show of remorse.

But he said the firearm had never been recovered and recent cases have shown some of these firearms were being used by different people in different offences.

He sentenced Gordon to ten years in jail with time in custody to be counted as part of the sentence.