The target of a suspected underworld shooting attempt in a corner shop managed to save himself by grappling with the gun-toting attacker among boxes of apples and oranges.

Mustafa Bolat, 29, pulled a pistol out at the convenience store in Wood Green, north London and fired three times at shopper Ali Unlu.

But Mr Unlu reacted with astonishing speed to turn the handgun away from him as Bolat missed his target.

As the grappling pair tumbled onto boxes of fruit he then unleashed a series of blows to subdue him.

The terrifying attack – all caught on CCTV obtained by the Daily Mail – took place in March this year.

Because intended target Mr Unlu and gunman Bolat both refused to co-operate with police it remains unclear what motivated the attempted shooting.

Both men are thought to be of Turkish heritage – and Wood Green is in an area synonymous with Turkish gangland activity.

The footage, which was played in court, shows Bolat walking into the shop and firing the three shots before Mr Unlu wrestles him against the shelves.

Mustafa Bolat (left), 29, pulled a pistol out at the convenience store in Wood Green, north London and fired three times at shopper Ali Unlu

Mr Unlu reacted with astonishing speed to turn the handgun away from him in a struggle

One of the shots was fired when the barrel was just inches away from Mr Unlu’s head.

Nicholas Alexander, prosecuting, said: ‘Mustafa gets up and points the gun towards Ali Unlu, who instinctively puts his right arm out and pushes up Mustafa Bolat’s left arm holding the gun.

‘The two continue to grapple with one another, falling into the refrigerated cabinet and then off towards the bottom of the screen.’

Bolat then calmly walks out of the shop as Mr Unlu throws a bottle at him.

Mr Alexander added: ‘As you can imagine, there were a number of calls to 999 by people reporting a shooting at WG Express.’

Bolat, of Tottenham, admitted possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence but he was cleared by an Old Bailey jury of attempted murder and possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

He admitted firing the shots but claimed he only wanted to scare Mr Unlu.

But Mr Unlu believed he was in a life and death struggle, the court heard.

Bolat, of Tottenham, admitted possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence but he was cleared by an Old Bailey jury of attempted murder

The struggle left fruit all over the floor and triggered multiple 999 calls reporting a shooting

Bolat had told jurors: ‘I am not a monster, I am not an angel, I make mistakes like everyone else.

‘I was stupid to commit a serious crime. I am not discrediting the crime I have committed, I am just making sure the jury is aware that I am not a killer.’

Bearded Bolat was remanded in custody ahead of sentence on November 13.

Mr Alexander earlier alleged that Bolat ‘attempted to kill Ali Unlu by shooting at him’.

He said Mr Unlu was spoken to by police ‘but did not wish to assist the police and gave no witness statement as a result’.

Bolat has a previous conviction for grievous bodily harm relating to a knife attack on July 14, 2017.

Cross examining Bolat, the prosecutor said: ‘That was an incident when you were traveling in a car, and there was a car in front of you, and during the course of that incident you had in your possession a kitchen knife.

‘You exited your vehicle and reached through the open window of the vehicle in front of you, and you brandished that knife towards the driver of that vehicle.

‘As a result, the driver of that vehicle sustained two injuries to his leg and wrist.

‘So you are somebody who is capable of using a weapon.’

Bolat, of Tottenham, denied attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life.

He earlier admitted possession of a firearm to cause fear of violence.