A man who admitted he hid a gun involved in a September 2007 shooting was spared further jail time Friday because he was credited, in part, with saving the shooting victim's life.

Cleveland Littlejohn, 42, of McCluney Drive, pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to an assault and battery with intent to kill in connection with a Sept. 6, 2007, incident during which 53-year-old Dwight Bridges, of East Frederick Street, was shot in the head.

After the shooting, Littlejohn hid the gun in some bushes and helped the alleged shooter, John Quinnton Rawlison, 25, of Moss Street, get away from the scene.

Following the shooting, however, Littlejohn borrowed another car and went back to the scene to get medical attention for Bridges.

Judge Roger Couch, who accepted Littlejohn's guilty plea, sentenced Littlejohn to five years in prison, suspended to time served and four years probation. Assistant Solicitor Kim Leskanic made no recommendation as to sentencing, leaving it up to the court's discretion.

"Mr. Littlejohn, the fact you were willing to go back worked in your favor," the judge told him after imposing sentence.

The incident began after Rawlison allegedly became upset in the belief that Bridges had taken a ring from his car, prosecutors alleged. Rawlison and Littlejohn then went to Bridges' home and Rawlison allegedly forced his way inside. Bridges was not inside the home when this happened, Leskanic said in court, but he witnessed it as he was passing by his home on a bicycle.

Bridges then went into his home and grabbed a knife to protect himself, Leskanic said in court. It's alleged that Rawlison shot Bridges, who was struck in the right side of his head.

Bridges told police that Rawlison then left the home, and he saw a second person step over him on the way out.

Attorney Phillip Sinclair, who represented Littlejohn, said in court that Littlejohn maintained he did not go into the home and had no knowledge Rawlison had a gun.

"Cleveland and Dwight Bridges have been friends for years," Sinclair added.

After Rawlison left the area, Sinclair said Littlejohn knew Bridges needed help and went back to take Bridges to the hospital "and probably saved his life."

Sinclair noted that Littlejohn later took police to the gun.

Bridges, walking with a cane and wearing a cover over his right ear, spoke on Littlejohn's behalf during the hearing, saying he probably wouldn't be standing in court Friday if it wasn't for Littlejohn.

Rawlison is charged with burglary and assault and battery with intent to kill. His case has not yet come before the court.