Robber picked up gunman who shot girl, jury told

A nine-year-old girl was shot in the head at a restaurant in London

A self-confessed robber has admitted picking up a gunman after a girl was shot in the head in a drive-by - but claimed he thought it was a "smash and grab".

The nine-year-old was eating dinner with her family when the rider of a Ducati Monster motorcycle fired six shots outside Evin restaurant, in Kingsland High Street, Dalston, east London, on 29 May last year.

At the Old Bailey, Javon Riley claimed a "third party" contacted him and offered about £40,000 to take part in robbing about 60kg (132lb) of drugs.

The 33-year-old denies attempted murder together with others, and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to the girl.

Mr Riley allegedly picked up the gunman in a stolen Nissan Juke before switching to a Range Rover in north London.

His role was to be a driver for a two-man bike "snatch team", neither of whom he had ever met, jurors heard.

Tyrone Smith KC, defending, asked for the name of the person who contacted him.

Mr Riley said: "I cannot give you that. I fear for my safety and my family."

Asked what he thought the plan at the time was, Mr Riley told the court: "That it was just going to be a robbery, a smash and grab."

The defendant, from Tottenham, north London, is also accused of carrying out reconnaissance before the shooting and helping the gunman evade arrest.

Giving evidence on Thursday, Mr Riley admitted involvement in crimes including robbery, and told Mr Smith he agreed evidence showed him driving the gunman from Colvestone Crescent.

He denied knowing at the time people had been shot.

A bullet lodged in the girl's brain and three men at another table were hit in the thigh, leg and backbone.

The girl cannot be named due to her age.

Dalston's Kingsland Road was closed off while police investigated

The prosecution has alleged the shooting was a "planned assassination" amid an ongoing dispute between rival gangs, the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Turks, also known as the "Bombacilars".

Men seated outside the restaurant had affiliations towards the Hackney Turks and the ones who had ordered the shooting were from the Tottenham Turks, it is claimed.

The court heard Mr Riley had convictions dating to 2008 including for cannabis and cocaine possession, driving offences, and having an offensive weapon and blade in his car.

The case continues.