''That the victim was in fact a very good friend shows how stupid and pointless this whole episode was,'' Judge Fred McElrea told Anthony McLellan, of Alexandra.
''I hope the defendant has learnt that guns and alcohol do not mix and has learned other things from this ... '' Judge McElrea said.
McLellan admitted shooting a firearm with reckless disregard for the safety of others and causing injury to Sfen Rouse-Henry by carelessly using an airgun on July 29 at Alexandra.
Counsel for McLellan, Tim Cadogan, said the defendant bought the gun on his birthday and had been drinking with a group of friends. After ''too much alcohol'' and receiving texts from an ex-girlfriend, McLellan made the ''utterly stupid'' decision to get his slug gun out.
'' ... he shot in a reckless manner rather than aiming it at someone''. As a result of the incident, he had lost the friendship of Mr Rouse-Henry.
The facts summary said Mr Rouse-Henry needed surgery to remove the pellet from his left knee and had two weeks off work.
Judge McElrea also sentenced McLellan to 150 hours of community work, eight months supervision and ordered him to pay $1250 reparation to the victim. He ordered the destruction of the gun.
