A man who shot a Coulsdon petrol station attendant in the face has been found guilty of intending to cause grievous bodily harm.

Jamie Lane, an unemployed 34-year-old from Thamesmead in south-east London, was today found guilty at the Old Bailey of shooting an attendant at the Brighton Road BP during a botched robbery.

The court heard Lane walked into the petrol station about 5pm on July 20 last year, selected a soft drink, took it to the counter and handed over some money before producing a black handgun with a 5-inch barrel and shouting at the attendant to open the till.

When the man brushed Lane's hand away from the till, Lane pointed the gun at the attendant's face and shot him in the left cheek.

Lane then ran off, escaping along Star Lane.

Having already admitted robbery, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition, Lane was today convicted by an Old Bailey jury of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on May 4.

Speaking after the conviction, Detective Constable Lisa Andrews said: "This was a particularly vicious crime that could have had a tragic outcome.

"Thankfully the victim had a lucky escape and residents of Surrey can be reassured that a violent offender is behind bars tonight.

"Surrey Police is committed to bringing more offenders before the court and this verdict reinforces our determination to do just that."