Raymond (Yankee) Rawlins spoke to a jury from beyond the grave yesterday, when his statement describing how he was shot at last year was read in court.

According to him, the weapon jammed after the gunman opened fire, but his assailant managed to un-jam it and fire more shots.

Mr. Rawlins, 47, was not injured in the shooting on Court Street last December 16, but died in a separate incident last month.

The man accused of the December attack, 22-year-old Anthony Swan from Pembroke, is now on trial at Supreme Court.

Mr. Rawlins gave an account of the shooting to the Police two days after it happened. He described himself as a sales manager, and part owner of the C & R Discount store on Court Street. He lived nearby on Till's Hill.

He told Police he was sitting in his father's delivery van outside the store around 10.45 a.m. that day with friends including "Duffy" and Shannon Tuzo.

"Whilst we were talking I saw this guy dressed all in black clothing. His face was covered with a black helmet and a mask. This guy was short and thin and the skin that was showing was brown skin," he explained.

He first saw the person when he was 15 feet away, but then the shooter walked closer.

"I saw the guy holding both of his hands on the gun. The guy raised his hands and fired two shots. I ducked back into the van and it sounded like the gun jammed. I looked up out the back of the van and saw the guy trying to un-jam the gun. After he tried to un-jam the gun he ran around the corner to Elliott Street. That's when I heard two more shots," said Mr. Rawlins.

"I jumped out of the van and I saw motorcycle Police officer Colin Paynter. I jumped on my bike and showed the officer which way the guy went.

"The guy may have left on a bike because I know when I got to the corner I did not see him anymore."

Mr. Rawlins added: "I don't know why anyone would try to harm me or anyone I know. I guess I'm just caught in the middle of something. As far as I'm concerned I don't have any enemies, just haters."

Swan denies a string of charges, including shooting at Mr. Rawlins with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and the case continues.