Tattoo parlour four sentenced
Published 10 Feb 2012 12:00
FOUR men have been sentenced for their part in the Maidenhead tattoo parlour shooting.
Two people were shot during the armed robbery of Fantasy Fine Line, in St Mark's Road on April 11 last year and yesterday, a judge at Reading Crown Court handed down a combined total of at least 32 years.
Anthony Cooke, 32, of Union Street, Bedford, Leon Dorman, 30, of Hinton Walk, Houghton Regis, Joseph Gentle, 22, of Hamble Road, Bedford and Drizz James, 22, of Purley Centre, Luton, were all found guilty of conspiracy to rob.
Cooke, Dorman and James were also found guilty of possessing a firearm with intent and Cooke and Dorman were found guilty on two counts of GBH.
Supt Rob Mason, who led the investigation, said: "I hope that today's verdict and the sentences handed out by the courts provide the local community of Maidenhead with some reassurance.
"This was not a random criminal act, but a targeted offence carried out by people from outside the Thames Valley area, and one which fortunately did not result in a loss of life.
"The finding of guilt demonstrates this force's commitment to protecting the public from very dangerous and violent criminals. This was a difficult inquiry and we are very pleased that it has come to such a successful conclusion."
Baljit Ubhey, chief crown prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: "This was a very complex case to prosecute and I applaud the prosecution team for their hard work and determination.
"Today's sentences will demonstrate to these individuals that the way they were conducting themselves will lead to lengthy prison sentences. Hopefully, the sentences will also act as a deterrent to others that this kind of behaviour is simply not acceptable."
Cooke was given an indeterminate sentence with a minimum of nine years and Dorman was sentenced to a minimum of eight years.
James was given two sentences of nine years to run concurrently and Gentle was sentenced to six years.
All four men denied the charges.
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