Robber who imprisoned women inside Rotherham casino handed nine year sentence

Marcel Gazi, 28, locked two members of staff in the Admiral Casino on Effingham Street on February 20, earlier this year and demanded they give him cash.

The two women were alone with Gazi as the only customer, when shortly after 5am, he assaulted and tied both women up to get them to hand over takings from the casino to him.

One of the victims lost a tooth in during the violent attack.

Gazi was handed a nine year prison sentence by the judge today (Friday, November 20) for robbery, burglary and breach of a previous suspended sentence.

Detective Constable Dawn Murray said: “Both women were subjected to a terrifying ordeal in the early hours of that morning.

"Gazi forced them in to a store room, before tying them up and shouting “I want money. I need money”.

He also chased and punched one of the victims as she tried to escape from the casino he had trapped both the women inside.

DC Murray continued: “Thankfully, one victim’s quick thinking meant that she could run out of the back entrance where she alerted staff in a nearby business to call the police.”

Gazi initially ran away, but was apprehended by officers on March 1 and he was positively identified by both victims in an identification parade.

She added: “I am pleased that justice has been served today.

"Most importantly, I’d like to thank both these brave women for supporting our investigation over the last nine months and working with us to ensure this result.”

The 28-year-old received seven years imprisonment for the robbery on February 20, with an additional two years added for breach of a suspended sentence which he was handed in 2013.

He was also ordered to serve 14 months for a burglary he committed in Rotherham on January 19 and the sentence will run concurrently.

The judge ordered that Gazi must serve at least two thirds of his total sentence and then he will be considered for deportation to Slovakia.

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