A gang expert described how escalating tensions between rivals Parkside and 42 formed the backdrop to alleged tit-for-tat shootings last May.

Sergeant Alex Rollin is supervisor of the Gang Targeting Unit within Bermuda Police Service.

He was called as a witness by prosecutor Robert Welling to explain the situation to a jury hearing the case against alleged 42 member Cervio Cox.

"That's a heated rivalry that's been going on for about four years, five years," Sgt. Rollin told them. "It has increased over time."

Cox stands accused of conspiracy to murder over a triple shooting on Court Street, Pembroke, last May 23.

Prosecutors say one of the victims, 16-year-old J'Dun Thompson, is an associate of the Parkside and Middletown gangs.

They allege Mr. Thompson was shot by 42 in revenge for the shooting murder of 42 associate Kenwandee Robinson in St. Monica's Road, Pembroke, the day before.

Sgt. Rollin explained that "42" can mean both the gang, and also the area of St. Monica's Road in Pembroke.

"I'm familiar to Kenwandee Robinson, known to me as Wheels," he said, going on to confirm that Mr. Robinson was a member of 42.

He also described the man injured in that same St. Monica's shooting, Michael "Mikey" Adams, as another member of 42.

Sgt. Rollin said he has been aware of Cervio Cox since around 2007, and has seen him in the 42 area several times.

He went on to describe the Parkside gang's territory as being Court Street, Elliot Street, Princess Street and Dundonald Street in Pembroke.

He said he's known Mr. Thompson, now 17, for around three years and he lives on King Street in Pembroke "about a block east of Parkside territory".

Sgt. Rollin explained that he knows Mr. Thompson to associate both with the Parkside gang, and an offshoot called the Middletown gang with which Parkside are "friendly".

He said Middletown territory is about a block and a half east of Parkside territory and Mr. Thompson lives closer to Middletown.

Asked by Mr. Welling what he would do if he spotted someone in a rival gang's territory, he replied: "I would stop them and make contact with them if they were in that rival territory. I would feel they were there for some type of criminality as it relates to gang rivalry."

Asked how gang members demonstrate their allegiances, he replied: "They can do it in various ways. They can do it by self-admitting. Where they self-admit, they refer to themselves as a gang member, as either a member of Parkside or 42."

Sgt Rollins said members can have the names of their gangs tattooed on their bodies or displayed on jewellery.

He agreed with defence lawyer Jerome Lynch QC that he never saw Cox with any tattoo or jewellery signifying gang membership. Mr. Lynch also inquired about the names Carlington Thompson, Daniel Cox and "Rum Rum".

Sgt. Rollin said they are known to the Police as members of 42, and Daniel Cox is Cervio Cox's cousin.

The court later heard from Detective Constable Windol Thorpe, who seized various clothing items and belongings from Cervio Cox's apartment in Clarendon Road, Smith's, during the investigation into the Court Street shootings.

These included a gold chain and pendant with something like "CC 42" on it, according to Det. Con. Thorpe, plus a pair of pants with a black, red and white scarf in the rear pocket.

Cox denies seven charges relating to the Court Street shooting and the case continues.