Maidenhead Tattoo Parlour Shooting Men Sentenced

9 February 2012, 16:00 | Updated: 9 February 2012, 16:36

Four men have been sentenced today for their part in an armed robbery at a tattoo parlour in Maidenhead.

It happened at the Fantasy Fine tattoo parlour in St. Mark's Road on 11 April 2011, where two men aged 45 and 51 were shot.

Anthony Cooke, aged 32, of Union Street in Bedford, has been given an indeterminate sentence with a minimum of 9 years after being found guilty of conspiracy to rob, possessing a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and GBH with intent.

Leon Dorman, aged 32, from Hinton Walk, Houghton Regis near Luton, has been given to an indeterminate sentence with a minimum of 8 years. He was found guilty of conspiracy to rob, possessing a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and GBH with intent.

Drizz James, aged 22, of Purley Centre in London, has been given to sentences of 9 years to run at the same time. He was found guilty of conspiracy to rob and possessing a firearm.

Joseph Gentle, aged 22, of Hamble Road in Bedford, was sentenced to six years in jail after being found guilty of conspiracy to rob.

Superintendent Rob Mason from Thames Valley Police, 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.

"In this case we worked very closely with our colleagues from Bedfordshire Police, who helped us to execute several warrants and bring these men into custody."