A partially deaf man has been sentenced after he admitted shooting his airgun at a shed near a school.

Wayne Harcourt, 23, of the YMCA hostel, Vicarage Drive, Eastbourne, was discovered near St Bede's School, Dukes Drive, Eastbourne, on May 24 last year.

Harcourt appeared at Eastbourne court yesterday for sentencing after pleading guilty to two charges of possessing a firearm, two counts of possessing ammunition and one charge of taking a speedboat.

Prosecutor Andrew Holt told district judge Paul Tain that Harcourt was seen in December cycling along Royal Parade, Eastbourne, with a gun bag.

The court heard police were called and discovered the bag, containing a rifle, in a skip.

Mr Holt said Harcourt had been banned from using air rifles after serving a prison sentence in 2000.

The court heard how in March this year Harcourt had moved a speedboat, the Amber Nectar, from its moorings on a beach near the Sovereign Centre swimming pool to a neighbouring beach.

He told police he was allowed to work on it because he had been told it was abandoned.

The owner of the boat had reported it missing.

Mr Tain sentenced Harcourt to a community rehabilitation order for nine months and reminded him he was not allowed an air rifle until 2005.

Harcourt was ordered to pay £100 costs and an order was made for the guns to be destroyed.