Michael Steele. Convicted in 1998 of triple murder, he will be freed after 27 years. Parole board says he no longer poses a threat.
The Parole Board determined that Steele is safe to release, as they no longer consider him a danger. This decision was influenced by his improved behavior in prison, and his good working relationship with supervisors.
Upon release, Steele will face several limitations, including the need for approved housing and restrictions on contact. He must also maintain good behavior, share financial information (including business matters), surrender his passport, and regularly report for supervision.
He will be subject to stricter monitoring measures, such as curfews, electronic tagging, and sign-in times. Restrictions will also be placed on his contacts, activities, and residency. He is prohibited from contacting victims, using firearms, certain electronic technology, or contacting the media, and will not be allowed to own a boat, plane, or firearm.
The drug dealers who were murdered were Pat Tate, Tony Tucker, and Craig Rolfe. Farmers discovered their bodies in the Range Rover on December 7, 1995. It is believed that Steele and Jack Whomes shot them following an argument over a drug deal.
Prior to this discovery, Leah Betts died from ecstasy three weeks earlier. The batch of drugs that killed her allegedly came from the victims. Her policeman father released a photo of her in intensive care to deter other youngsters from using drugs.
Steele and Whomes were convicted in 1998 and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 23 years. They maintained their innocence throughout the trial. Whomes was released in 2021 but is prohibited from protesting his innocence due to the terms of his license. The Ministry of Justice has not commented on the matter.
Steele’s parole hearing was delayed, and he accused Essex Police of corruption during parole reviews. Both men unsuccessfully appealed their convictions, and the Criminal Case Review Commission (CCRC) rejected their case in 2023.
The application presented to the CCRC included a leaked Met Police report describing a crime boss offering murders for those who supplied Leah’s fatal drugs. The boss was recorded speaking to a detective with ties to organized crime.
These tape details were not presented at the trial. The CCRC initially deemed them insufficient after six years. However, a new CCRC application is currently under review that contains new evidence questioning the convictions. Notably, the CCRC is accepting third-party submissions, which is unusual.
A CCRC spokesperson confirmed the applications and stated that a review is underway. They cannot provide further comment during this process. A detective team’s dossier, which believes in Steele and Whomes’ innocence, is being used in the review. This team reviewed the case for three years.
Darren Nicholls, who claimed to be the getaway driver, provided testimony that helped convict Whomes and Steele. He is currently under witness protection. He testified after being arrested for cannabis possession in 1996.