Trial: Gang sentenced for Maidenhead shootings

A judge has sent four men to prison today for bringing 'gangland violence' to Maidenhead during a double shooting in a tattoo parlour.

Anthony Cooke, Leon Dorman, Joseph Gentle and Drizz James have all been convicted over their involvement in the attack. 

It happened at Fantasy Fine Line, St Mark's Road, on April 11, and left two men injured.

Cooke, 31, from Bedford and Dorman, 30, from Dunstable, were both given indeterminate sentences after being found guilty of conspiracy to rob, possession of a firearm with intent and two counts of wounding with intent each.

This means the length of the term they will serve in prison has not yet been set, but will be decided based upon their behaviour while they are inside.

Both have been given minimum sentences to serve; nine years for Cooke and eight for his accomplice Dorman, and they will remain on licence for life if they are released.

Both were cleared on two counts of attempted murder.

James, 22, from Luton, was found guilty of conspiracy to rob and possession of a firearm, although it was accepted he did not enter the tattoo parlour at any point.

He was given two nine-year sentences to serve concurrently - in other words, at the same time - minus the days he has spent in custody since his arrest in October.

Getaway driver Gentle, 22, of no fixed abode, was convicted of conspiracy to rob, but the jury failed to reach a verdict on the charge of possession of a firearm, so it will lie on file.

He was sentenced to six years in prison minus the days he has spent in custody since he was arrested in August.

It took the jury more than 30 hours to reach their verdicts.

On sentencing, Judge Zoe Smith described St Mark's Road as a typical suburban street.

She told the group: "You brought gangland violence into this residential area."

Read the Advertiser's reports of how the trial unfolded:

Report 1: Jury sworn in at Maidenhead shooting trial

Report 2: Court hears shooting was result of a confrontation over drugs

Report 3: Shooting victim gives evidence

Report 4: Shooting victim is accused of carrying a gun

Report 5: Second shooting victim gives evidence via videolink

Report 6: Victim questioned over bullet found in car

Report 7: Photos showing cash on a phone shown in court

Report 8: Defence barrister compares Crown's case to jigsaw puzzle

Report 9: Jury in shooting trial retires to consider verdicts

Report 10: Jury in shooting trial can return majority verdicts

Report 11: Shooting trial adjourned until Monday

Report 12: Jury returns four verdicts in shooting trial

Report 13: Four men to be sentenced over Maidenhead shooting