His lawyers said the trial judge was wrong to rule them admissible because she deemed the fact that Gerard Cervi “adopts a stance similar to that described of the gunman” to be relevant.

Bobby Messett's children Demi and Gary spoke at a sentencing hearing on Friday afternoon

The defendant has no previous convictions and the prosecution did not elucidate a motive for the crime.

Hugh Hartnett SC delivered his closing speech on behalf of Gerard Cervi, who denies that he was the gunman who fired nine shots into a crowded gym, killing Robert 'Bobby' Messett and injuring Mr Taylor and a third man named Ian Britton.

"I thought it was my responsibility to run at him," Mr Taylor told the jury in the Central Criminal Court murder trial of Gerard Cervi on Tuesday afternoon.

The court was told boxing coach Pete Taylor was shot after he 'made a charge' at a gunman who had opened fire on a gym

Gerard Cervi (36) has pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder