Scrap metal dealers ambushed and shot a man inside a park with a 19th century pistol in a row over cash.

Barry Chambers, 23, plotted to have his victim shot behind his knee-cap while his uncle Andrew Williams, 52, opened fire on the fleeing 22-year-old.

A 16-year-old boy, who must remain anonymous for legal reasons, was yesterday acquitted of conspiring to cause wounding.

Chambers and the teen had denied any part in the attack at Westmeads Recreation Ground, Whitstable.

At a previous Canterbury Crown Court trial last month both had argued gunman Williams acted alone.

However, jurors found Chambers guilty of conspiring to cause wounding. They were unable to reach a verdict on the 16-year-old who has now been cleared following a second trial.

Williams pleaded guilty to shooting his victim at an earlier hearing.

'When you were all in the car together, what did you talk about?'

Judge Mr Recorder Anthony Yearwood heard tensions simmered between Chambers and the victim over a row over money.

It erupted when the victim and his girlfriend were confronted by Chambers, whose white transit van careened towards them with music blaring.

After retreating to Westmeads Recreation Ground, Chambers tracked down his target and became hostile.

Williams emerged from behind a bush reaching into his pocket, and barked at the victim to stand still.

The victim turned to run and witnessed a flash of smoke from Williams’ hand.

“I could feel a sharp pain and I was unable to walk properly - my vision was going blurry,” he told the jury.

His girlfriend added: “I heard a shot that sounded really loud. I heard my boyfriend screaming.

“He was holding his leg saying I have just been shot.”

Armed police, paramedics and an air ambulance were scrambled to the scene at about 2pm on July 7.

Officers initially believed he had been injured with a ball-bearing gun pellet.

'I could feel a sharp pain and I was unable to walk properly - my vision was going blurry...'

The victim was rushed to Ashford’s William Harvey Hospital, and, against medical advice, discharged himself early.

Surgery revealed his wound had been caused by a .22 bullet.

Chambers claimed he was oblivious to Williams’ carrying the firearm.

Prosecutor Paul Valder asked him: “Where did the gun come from?”

“I don’t know,” he responded.

“When you were all in the car together, what did you talk about?

“There was nothing to talk about,” he said.

“You had no idea Andrew is holding a gun in his hand?"

"I had no idea whatsoever.”

Police investigators would go on to scour hundreds of hours of CCTV evidence for clues, following the shooting.

'There was nothing to talk about...'

It revealed moments before the shooting Chambers and Williams pulled up in a silver Ford Focus in Wheatley Road, opposite the park.

Footage played in court showed Williams exit the car carrying the handgun, and then the group walking down an alley, towards the recreation ground.

Williams, of no fixed address, could be seen holding the firearm throughout the footage.

The weapon, a working late-19th century pistol used for target practice, was discovered hidden in a hedge in Herne Bay after Williams disclosed its location to police.

A live bullet was still in the chamber.

Williams is convicted of carrying a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.

Chambers, of Walmer Road, Whitstable, is convicted of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.

Both will be sentenced later this year following pre-sentence reports and have been remanded in custody.

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