A man who shot his former friend dead in the middle of Chatsworth Road on a Saturday afternoon has been found guilty of manslaughter.

Christopher Erunse, 28, gunned down Moses Fadairo, 25, in Chatsworth Road, Lower Clapton, on September 26 last year.

During a four-week trial, jurors at the Old Bailey heard how Erunse then took aim at his victim’s brother Emmanuel, 28, and followed him as he sought refuge in the Mighty Meat butcher’s shop.

The younger Fadairo, a new father of twin boys, was pronounced dead at the scene from a gunshot wound to his chest, while the elder escaped unscathed.

Erunse, of Chalcombe Road, Abbey Wood, was found guilty today of manslaughter and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

He had grown up with the brothers on the Pembury Estate. Erunse claimed he acted in self-defence after Moses stabbed him in the back of his leg as he was running away from the brothers and their friend Anthony Ebe – who had all jumped out of a taxi to chase him.

A second man, Bradley Wynter, 28, from the Pembury Estate, Lower Clapton, was captured on CCTV helping Erunse flee the scene having been passed the firearm that he had tried to hide in his jacket.

He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm.

Erunse was arrested by officers from West Midlands Police on board a plane at Birmingham International Airport on September 29, as he attempted to make his way to Amsterdam.

He admitted he had the gun, but denied murder, attempted murder and manslaughter.

Det Ch Insp Andrew Packer, of the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “This case began with two long-term friends falling out with each other.

“Whilst it may never be clear what led to this breakdown, the subsequent animosity grew into violence and resulted in a man losing his life.

“It was nothing short of a miracle that members of the public going about their daily business were not killed or badly injured during this incident.”

Erunse and Wynter will be sentenced next week.