Police have heralded the lengthy sentences meted out to two gunmen yesterday.

Anthony Swan, 22, received 12 years behind bars for shooting at gangster Raymond (Yankee) Rawlins on Court Street, in December 2009.

And Omari Gordon, 28, was sentenced to ten years behind bars for firing a gun during a Police chase in Middletown, Pembroke, in November 2008.

Detective Chief Inspector Nicholas Pedro, the officer in charge of the Serious Crime Unit said: "The Bermuda Police Service would like to acknowledge the significant sentence handed down in the Supreme Court regarding Mr. Anthony Swan.

"Mr. Swan was convicted of firing multiple shots at persons with a firearm at a busy location on Court Street, Hamilton on December 16, 2009. Fortunately, no members of the public were harmed during this incident, which clearly traumatised many members of our community. The flagrant disregard for life was apparent in chilling images of this incident captured on Hamilton CCTV cameras."

He added: "The sentencing of Mr. Swan to 12 years imprisonment represents the culmination of several months of dedicated work by members of the Police Service, and the prosecutors in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions."

The detective said the sentence should "serve as a strong reminder to all members of the public that gun and gang crime in any shape or form, will not be tolerated".

Meanwhile, the Police also heralded the jailing of Gordon, who fired a shot after engaging the Police in a chase as they tried to stop him during a routine traffic check. He later went on the run for more than a year but was eventually found hiding in an apartment in Sandys.

Assistant Commissioner David Mirfield said: "This once again demonstrates that those who choose to pick up guns and engage in criminal acts will be pursued, will be caught and punished by the courts. I sincerely hope that this long sentence of imprisonment will act as a deterrent."

Meanwhile, he added: "The disruption and reduction of gun and gang activity is a central focus of the Bermuda Police Service. Members of the Serious Crime Unit have worked tirelessly on these and other cases in recent months, and we would like to reassure every member of the community that the pursuit of justice for all victims of crime and making Bermuda safer remains our priority. This case, and other recent cases in the courts demonstrate our collective resolve with our community and Government partners to making Bermuda safer."