Pair jailed after fatal shop raid

Marian Bates was shot dead shielding her daughter

Two men convicted of plotting to rob a jeweller shot dead during an armed raid in Nottingham have each been jailed for 13 years.

Dean Betton, 24, and Craig Moran, 23, were found guilty at Stafford Crown Court on Monday after Marian Bates was killed at her shop in September 2003.

The court was told they were seen at the store the day before the robbery and in a getaway car used in the raid.

Peter Williams, 19, will be sentenced for murder at a later date.

Gun crime

Betton, from Broxtowe, Nottingham, and Moran, from Bestwood in the city, who was also found guilty of conspiring to pervert the course of justice, had denied the charges.

Justice Gibbs, sentencing, said: "The problems facing Nottingham, as well as this particular crime, have become known not only within the East Midlands region, but well beyond.

"In recent times, violent crime, including gun crime, has greatly increased, and has struck at the heart of the city.

"A clear message needs to be sent out that those responsible for all such crimes will be charged, convicted and sent to prison for many years."

False alibi

Moran's girlfriend, Lisa Unwin, 23, from Bestwood, was found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in relation to the murder inquiry and will be sentenced at a later date.

Moran told the trial he was celebrating the birthday of Unwin, also from Bestwood, when Mrs Bates was killed.

He claimed he had not conspired with Unwin to "put up" a false alibi.

Mrs Bates was shot dead as she shielded her daughter from armed raiders at the Time Centre in Arnold.

Williams, of no fixed address, was also found guilty of possessing a firearm, conspiracy to rob and causing grievous bodily harm.