Hablas confessed to the murder in the weeks after the shooting, but recanted his statement after he was charged with murder in 2010. He was acquitted at a trial the following year.

Later, he became a key prosecution witness in the trial against Chaouk.

Chaouk, 38, did not react as the jury handed down its verdict. None of his family or the Haddara clan were in the Supreme Court as the jury of seven women and five men announced its verdict.

Chaouk pleaded not guilty to murder and argued he did not kill Haddara, and that there was a reasonable prospect Hablas was the shooter.

But prosecutor Patrick Bourke told the trial Hablas had initially confessed to the shooting out of fear from the Chaouk family, and that Chaouk had himself admitted to the murder.

Chaouk had associates dispose of his clothing and the gun, Mr Bourke said, and he was seen that night burying bullets in a backyard that was to be concreted.

Before the shooting Haddara and an associate forced Hablas into a car in the belief he was involved in shooting at another man the night before, the trial heard.

While in the car, Hablas phoned Chaouk and said he was being held, before Haddara snatched the phone away and told Chaouk: ‘‘We’ve got him now, he’s f-----.’’

An arrangement was made for Chaouk and Haddara to meet soon after.

More to come