A drill rapper was caught travelling with a loaded gun which he planned to be used in a violent feud with rival south London gangs, a court heard.

Jyrelle O’Connor — who raps under the pseudonym Loski — allegedly took a 4mm calibre Florent revolver, wrapped in a black sock, when he hired an Uber to drive him into London.

When police pulled over the taxi they found the loaded weapon under the front passenger seat, and realised later that one of the cartridges had been fired, Croydon crown court heard.

Prosecutor Kenneth Millett said O’Connor had a “clear motive” for carrying the gun as he is a “prominent” member of the Kennington-based Harlem Spartans gang.

“They are in a violent feud with gangs from the Brixton area, the 410 gang or the Angel Town gang,” he told the court.

“This is a firearm which could kill —small, held in the hand, in a sock to disguise it … It’s not for shooting pigeons or foxes.

"This is to enable the possessor of that weapon to endanger life as and when an occasion arises.”

He told jurors O’Connor had a previous conviction from 2015 when a shotgun was found under his bed, and detectives found pictures of guns on his phone and video of a Mac-10 being loaded.

Mr Millett said the Florent revolver “was for use in connection with continuing gang disputes” either by O’Connor or another member of the Harlem Spartans.

He said the feud had led to murders, and suggested that drill rap songs were used to “fuel” the disputes and “diss” opponents.

O’Connor’s Uber was pulled over in west London on April 9 last year when he was wanted for questioning about the killing of his friend, rapper Latwaan Griffiths, also said to be a Harlem Spartans member. O’Connor did not answer when questioned about the gun.

Mr Millett said the prosecution dispute the claim that he was merely a member of a music group “explaining what goes on within their community”.

O’Connor, who was living in Gerrards Cross, denies possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm while prohibited, and possession of ammunition.

The trial continues.