A Florida man found with ammunition in his luggage was given an absolute discharge yesterday in Magistrates' Court.

Demetrius Antrell Watson, 30, of Gainesville, Florida, walked away from court a free man after signing a disclaimer allowing Police to dispose of the ammunition.

Watson, who was visiting an aunt, arrived on the Island off a Continental Flight from New Jersey on July 31 with three Winchester Olin USA 12 shotgun cartridges in his luggage. He told Police they were left in his overnight bag and brought to the Island by accident.

Crown counsel Robert Welling also called it an "inadvertence" and said there was no evidence to show Watson was planning to use the ammunition while in Bermuda.

This was Watson's first trip to the Island and despite the offence he told the court he enjoyed his stay: "I had a very nice time, enjoyed the beaches, Cup Match, the people are nice here."

Watson was expected to leave the Island yesterday.