High School Musical 3 actor Justin Martin has promised he will learn from his mistakes after being sentenced to 18 months in jail on gun charges on Tuesday (31May16).

On Tuesday the 22-year-old was sentenced to 18 months in jail following his arrest last summer (Jul15) in Massachusetts, where he allegedly pointed his gun at cops following a chase through the streets of Boston.

Now Martin has released a statement, admitting he has learned from his mistakes.

"I have matured a great deal in the past year and had to learn some hard lessons because of my actions," he told People.com. "I should have acted more responsibly and taken my choices more seriously.

"I appreciate everyone's support, especially my family and friends for standing by me and knowing that my choices that night are not reflective of my true character. I look forward to moving past this time in my life and getting back to my career. Thank you for all the positive messages and support."

Martin added that he has been speaking at schools in Boston over the past year about anti-gun violence and drug awareness after realizing his mistakes.

Following the incident last year Martin was subsequently charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, carrying a loaded firearm and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building.

He pleaded guilty to all five charges and received his jail sentence on Tuesday.

In addition to playing Donny Dion in the hit Disney movie, Martin also appeared in Denzel Washington's 2012 film Flight, The Soloist, and the TV adaptation of A Raisin in the Sun, as Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Audra McDonald's son.