A man whose car was used in a gang shooting urged Bermuda's gangsters to "put the guns down" and "try to forgive" as he was jailed for seven years yesterday.

Cervio Cox was convicted of being an accomplice to the triple shooting on Court Street last May 23, allegedly perpetrated by members of the 42 gang.

He admitted loaning his car to gangsters on "42nd Street" that morning <\!m> but denied knowing they would use it as the getaway vehicle in the crime.

Nonetheless, he was convicted by a jury on Wednesday of three counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Although it was never alleged that Cox pulled the trigger during the daylight bloodshed, he is guilty in the eyes of the law through aiding and abetting the attack.

He's the only participant to have been brought before the courts and has been on remand in custody for the past year.

The 26-year-old water truck driver refused to name those he lent his car to, telling the jury during his trial that he's too scared for himself and his family.

Speaking before he was sentenced yesterday, he said: "It's been a nightmare for me for the last year, also a lot of people have been affected. I have definitely taken this year to reflect on everything, on life itself, and the actions of others and how they can affect you and the choices you make."

He continued:"Sometimes you just have to accept responsibility, and I just want to say that for the fellows out there on the streets who are involved in certain activities. Just put the guns down because it makes no sense and brings a lot of heartache for the families and for children.

"Just try to forgive, because at the end of the day that is what is part of the solution. It's just forgiveness, so I will have to forgive myself and forgive others."

The trial heard evidence from gang expert Sergeant Alex Rollin that Cox frequented St. Monica's Road (AKA 42nd Street), which is the heart of 42 gang territory. Police also recovered a large gold medallion from his home bearing the letters "CC 42".

Prosecutor Robert Welling suggested Cox was a follower of the gang, and loyal to it.

He also alleged the Court Street shooting was retaliation for the shooting-to-death on St. Monica's Road the day before of Kenwandee "Wheels" Robinson, a friend of Cox's.

Cox's cousin, Mikey Adams, was seriously injured in that same incident. Sgt. Rollin said both Mr. Robinson and Mr. Adams were known members of 42 and the gang believed Parkside was behind the St. Monica's Road attack.

Mr. Welling told the jury Cox had every motive to be involved in retaliation on Court Street the next morning, having plotted with other 42 men.

A gunman described as a Jamaican and never alleged to be Cox opened fire on 16-year-old Parkside associate J'Dun Thompson around 9 a.m. while Court Street was busy with passers-by.

He shot the teenager in the foot before chasing him into nearby C&R Discount Store and opening fire on innocent store workers Raymond Burgess Jr. and his father Raymond Sr. who suffered flesh wounds to their elbow and thigh respectively. Eight shell cases were recovered from the scene.

The gunman made off in Cox's car, which also contained a driver and rear-seat passenger.

During yesterday's hearing, prosecutor Mr. Welling commented: "It can only be imagined the effect this has had on the victims <\!m> each and every one of whom could have lost their lives."

Cox, a former Saltus Grammar School student, has a two-year-old daughter and step-children. He used to mentor a seven-year-old boy through the Big Brothers, Big Sisters scheme. He told the court: "I hope that once I have completed this sentence I can get back to my 'A game' <\!m> what I was doing before I was incarcerated get back to working, being a family man and being a role model to my children and for others."

He has no previous convictions, and defence lawyer Jerome Lynch QC said the crime was "wholly out of character" and committed by someone acting out of provocation, fear and loyalty.

Meting out the seven-year sentence, Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves said the courts must punish and strongly deter such behaviour. "This was a shooting carried out in the heart of the city in the early morning with citizens going about their business. It was an arrogant display," he commented.

The judge also said he was "troubled" by the fact that although eyewitnesses described the gunman, no positive outcomes came from ID parades, and some who gave a name later said they were mistaken. Others declined to come to court to give evidence.

He commented: "This society, I think, needs to move away from the proverb of the three monkeys who saw no evil, heard no evil and did no evil. Those who choose to terrorise our society can only continue to do so if we allow them to do so."