A MAN has been found guilty of shooting a police officer during a chase in south London.

Dwayne Reid, 23, of Wilberforce House, West Norwood, was convicted at the Inner London Crown Court of "GBH with intent, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of a firearm whilst prohibited to do so".

PC Paul Bennett, with his colleague Mark Guppy, was chasing two men seen acting suspiciously when he was shot in the leg on April 24 last year.

The two officers were on a routine patrol in the Angel Park Estate area of Peckham in an unmarked police car. They spotted a silver blue Peugeot being driven "erratically" and followed it, police said.

Within moments the Peugeot was sandwiched between the unmarked police car and a marked police vehicle ahead of it. It crashed into a kerb in Hilda Lockhart Mews and the two occupants fled on foot.

The court heard how PCs Bennett and Guppy left their car and chased the men.

PC Bennett heard a loud bang and radioed the words: "Shots fired - I think I've been shot".

He said the gun had been fired from a distance of about 40 metres.

A police spokesman said: "Despite believing the suspects to be armed, PC Guppy admirably, and without thought for his personal safety, continued the pursuit.

"PC Bennett, who we now know had been shot in a glancing blow above his right knee, made his way back to the abandoned Peugeot."

PC Guppy arrested Reid in Horle Walk and police later found his jacket discarded in nearby wasteland.

Forensic analysis revealed holes in the garment consistent with the entry and exit of a bullet, as well as firearms residue.

The second suspect was arrested nearby and was later charged, but a jury found him not guilty.

PCs Paul Bennett, Mark Guppy and Richard Hall were awarded High Commendations - the Met's highest honour - by Commissioner Sir Ian Blair for their bravery.