Trial: Tattoo parlour shootings investigation praised

The superintendent who led the investigation into the Maidenhead tattoo parlour shootings has praised all those who helped bring the case to a successful conclusion.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Rob Mason from Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit said more than 100 officers had been involved at different stages.

"It has taken a long time for it to come to court," he said. "I'm absolutely delighted that such dangerous men are going to prison for such a long time."

Supt Mason described the scene which confronted officers on April 11 as one of 'confusion'. He praised the police and the other emergency services for their initial response which prevented the case from becoming a murder enquiry.

After tending to the stricken victims - the first main concern - scenes of crime officers were able to begin gathering evidence from the area.

Collating CCTV, phone records and witness statements then enabled police to 'paint a significant picture' of what had happened.

Multiple forces including Bedfordshire Police and the Metropolitan Police played a role in bringing those responsible to justice.

But despite this, Supt Mason explained that however confident they are about a case, officers are 'always mindful' that it can come across very differently in court.

"You never know how the witnesses are going to come across in the witness box," he said. "It's always a really nerve-wracking time when the jury goes out."

With all four defendants declining to give evidence, it was acknowledged during the trial that the full 'ins and outs' of what happened inside Fantasy Fine Line might never be revealed.

Supt Mason described this as a fact police have to 'get used to'. Having worked on major crime for 15 years he said the shootings were an 'incredibly rare' incident for the Maidenhead area.

See this week's Advertiser for a full round-up of the conclusion of the case.

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

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

Report 14: Gang sentenced for Maidenhead shootings

Report 15: CCTV released of shooting gang members