Justice Bryan Sykes yesterday sentenced 26-year-old bank teller Douglas Gazader of Heathfield district, St Catherine, to three years' imprisonment at hard labour for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

Gazader was also fined $300,000 or 12 months' imprisonment for discharging a firearm in a public place.

The judge said if the fine is not paid then Gazader will have to serve a total of four years' imprisonment.

The Crown led evidence at the trial in the St Ann Circuit Court that on October 1, 2007, Gazader and friends were at a beach at Priory St Ann.

Gazader fired shots from a 9mm pistol.

The matter was reported to the police and he was arrested and charged.

Justice Sykes found him guilty of the charges and sentencing was put off until yesterday.