A teenage murderer who gunned down a hard-working father after he dared to stand up to a gang of hoodies terrorising his neighbourhood is facing a life sentence.

Bradley Tucker, 18, was convicted of murdering Croydon-born Peter Woodhams by an Old Bailey jury yesterday. However a 17-year-old boy accused of acting as his lookout was cleared of murder.

Peter, 22, was slashed in the neck by thugs in a previous attack and they openly mocked him when no one was arrested.

The former New Addington resident believed Tucker was responsible and was shot in the heart by the teenager when he got out of his car to confront him on August 21 last year.

The teenager fired as many as eight times, pausing for three or four seconds between shots.

The court heard the satellite engineer, who was working seven days a week to provide for his family, died in the arms of his fiancee Jane Bowden and in front of their three-year-old son, Sam.

Ms Bowden nodded her head as Tucker was found guilty.

Tucker, who was grinning as the jury came back into court, slumped beneath the dock as he heard the unanimous verdict given by the six men and six women.

Cannabis-smoker Tucker admitted manslaughter but the Crown refused to accept the plea, insisting he and the 17-year-old be tried for murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

The 17-year-old denied both charges and was cleared.

Mr Woodhams grew up in New Addington and went to school in South Norwood.