A 23-year-old who shot an acquaintance during an argument over borrowing money has been convicted at the Old Bailey.

The male victim and his girlfriend had driven to meet 23-year old Izaiah Smith outside his home in Jenner Road, Stoke Newington to sell him some clothes before he went on holiday to Jamaica.

Smith sat in the centre of the rear seat and leant forward to speak with the victim’s girlfriend, and asked her to lend him �500.

She refused saying she did not have the money to lend him, but Smith then began to ask in a more aggressive manner, leading the victim – who was sitting in the passenger seat - to intervene, telling Smith his girlfriend would not lend him any money.

Smith called the victim an offensive name and shot him once under his right armpit, before running off.

The victim was driven to Homerton Hospital by his girlfriend, but was later transferred to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, because his injuries were deemed life-threatening.

Although the victim has now recovered physically from his injuries, he is still traumatised by the incident, which happened on April 26 at around 9.30pm.

Smith was convicted of section 18 assault and possession of a firearm with the intent to endanger life on October 23 and will be sentenced on November 21.

Detective Constable Simon Ager, Trident Gang Crime Command North East Team, said the investigation was complex but had successfully led to the imprisonment of a dangerous offender.

“This conviction sends out a clear message about the grave consequences of carrying and using a weapon,” he said.

“Trident Gang Crime Command continues to focus on the prevention of shootings and to investigate and catch offenders.”

The number of shootings taking place in London has reduced significantly in the last year, down 28 per cent.