A MAN who has been jailed for 16 years after a shooting during a birthday party has been labelled a "dangerous criminal" by police.

Lewis Goldfine, 20, of Lancaster Gardens, Southend, admitted two counts of possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger and one count of possession of a class A drug with intent to supply.

This month, Woolwich Crown Court heard Goldfine and his associate Alex Adesoji were involved in a shooting in Stockwell, which saw the 26-year-old male victim shot in the ankle.

On August 7 last year, the victim was holding a barbecue at his home to celebrate his birthday, which attracted a number of uninvited guests from the neighbouring housing estate.

Shortly after 1am, the victim became aware of some men wearing balaclavas hanging around his home address.

After opening his front door to investigate, he witnessed a group of people running up Moat Place towards Combermere Road.

The victim chased the group and found them surrounding a Ford Mondeo being driven by Goldfine and with Adesoji as the passenger.

Adesoji was brandishing a handgun. A firearm was discharged at the group surrounding the car and hit the 26-year-old victim in his ankle.

The car made off soon after the shooting.

Enquiries by Met Police officers led them to Goldfine's home in Southend and following a subsequent search of his address the firearm that was used to shoot the victim was recovered along with ammunition, a silencer and a large quantity of Class A and B drugs.

Goldfine was arrested and charged in October, while Adesoji was charged a month later after evidence was found connecting him to the scene.

Goldfine admitted the charges at the start of the trial, while Adesoji was found guilty of possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life and grievous bodily harm.

Adesoji was handed a 15-year jail sentence.

After the sentencing, Detective Inspector Paul Dorey said: "I am pleased that two dangerous criminals intent on endangering people's lives through the possession and use of the loaded firearm that was primed ready to go have been convicted.

"The professional and thorough investigation by the officer in the case linked Goldfine and his criminal associate Adesoji to the shooting incident that took place in a crowded area during the summer of 2015 on the Stockwell Park Estate.

"These convictions serve as a reminder to anybody involved in the possession and use of firearms that officers from Trident and Area Crime Command will actively pursue them and place them before the courts."