Essex Boys gangland killer could soon be freed

by · Mail Online

A gangland killer who became synonymous with one of the country's most notorious criminal underworld murders could soon be freed from prison after telling a Parole Board hearing he is no threat to the public.

Michael Steele, 81, was jailed for life in 1998 for the triple execution of three men in Rettendon, Essex.

Patrick Tate, 37, Anthony Tucker, 38, and Craig Rolfe, 26, were shot dead with a pump-action shotgun as they sat in a Range Rover.

The three - members of the 'Essex Boys' drug gang - were slain on an isolated lane near a farm in a row over drugs.

The grisly murders inspired TV shows and films including Rise of the Footsoldier and Essex Boys.

Michael Steele (left) was convicted alongside Whomes (right) for the same triple murder. Steele could be freed. They are pictured in 2006
Patrick Tate, Anthony Tucker and Craig Rolfe (from left to right) were all found shot dead in a Range Rover on an isolated farm track at Rettendon, Essex in December 1995
Sean Bean starred as Jason Locke in the 2000 film 'Essex Boys', inspired by the triple murder

Both Steele and his accomplice alongside Jack Whomes, 63, have continued to insist that they had nothing to do with the murders.

Whomes was released in 2021 after serving a reduced sentence of 22 years.

Steele, who has served much of his sentence at Category A Wakefield Prison, West Yorkshire, gave evidence via a web link.

Steele has been granted a parole hearing in which he argued he should be freed.

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A source said: 'Michael wanted to give evidence even though he has never admitted his guilt.

'He knows that fact will go against him with the Parole Board despite his good behaviour in prison.

'Michael reiterated that he is not a safety threat to the public.'

Steele and Whomes' convictions were based on the testimony of supergrass Darren Nicholls, who claimed he was their getaway driver.

But East End criminal Billy Jasper told police he was the driver for a named assassin, who Tate called just before he was executed.

It was revealed that ex-gangster Steve 'Nipper' Ellis had claimed his Dad, Sid, carried out the killings after threats to their family.

The notorious killings were believed to be linked to a gangland feud.

Police officers with the Range Rover on the farm track in Rettendon where the three men were found dead
The killing in the small village of Rettendon was made into a 2000 film starring Sean Bean

In March 2021 Whomes was released on licence and returned to his mother's Suffolk home.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission is probing the convictions of Steele and Whomes, and could refer the case back to the Court of Appeal.

The original parole hearing was due to take place in May but was adjourned.

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'An oral hearing has been listed for the parole review of Michael Steele and is scheduled to take place in November 2024.

'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.'

The Parole Board has to make a decision on whether to release Steele or recommend he be moved to an open prison within 14-days.