An "evil" salesman who threw a petrol bomb into a crowded Birmingham store, engulfing a six-year-old girl in a ball of flame, faces life imprisonment.

Shae Thomas suffered horrific injuries after Asa Lawrence threw the lit missile into the TK Maxx shop at the One Stop centre in Perry Barr.

The double-glazing salesman hurled the bomb "in rage" following a dispute with staff the day before. It clipped the underside of an internal door frame and exploded in mid air, showering the youngster in flaming petrol.

A Birmingham Crown Court jury yesterday cleared Lawrence (25), of Merridale Road, Wolverhampton, of attempted murder but convicted him of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He had previously admitted causing bodily injury by explosive to Shae and her mother, Cherra Johnson, and a charge of causing an explosion likely to endanger life. Each carries a maximum of life imprisonment.

Adjourning sentence to July 15 and remanding Lawrence (pictured) in custody, Judge David Matthews ordered psychiatric reports and said he would consider serving an indeterminate sentence.

Afterwards, Shae's mother said: "He's an evil, evil man and he should be locked away for a long time."

Ms Johnson, age 27, who was flanked by her daughter's father, Delroy Thomas, aged 28, said: "Considering what's happened, Shae's amazing.

"She's the best little girl ever. She's still dancing, playing with her Barbie and seeing friends. It's remarkable. She's got so much strength, more than me. She gives me the strength to go on. She's amazing."

Describing the attack, on the afternoon of August 27 last year, Ms Johnson, from Bristol, added: "It was like a movie. That is the only way I can describe it. It was the worst day of my life."

Lawrence had several previous convictions including one for common assault and possessing an offensive weapon when he was involved in a violent incident at an Asda store in Wolverhampton in April 2004 and hit a member of staff with a metal baseball bat.

Christopher Hotten, QC, prosecuting, said Lawrence had been involved in an altercation with an elderly customer and had kicked over shelving. He was banned from the store but vowed to take his revenge.

The following day he returned with the lighted petrol bomb which he threw into the shop when it was crowded with staff and shoppers including Shae, her mother and grandmother, Nora Johnson.

It was, said Mr Hotten, "an act of considered, calculated and deliberate wickedness" which "transformed the life of a pretty, vibrant, innocent and carefree six-year-old girl into one of enduring and life-long suffering".