Michael Steele, convicted in 1998 for the “Essex Boys” murders, will be released after serving 27 years.
Steele, who is now in his 80s, was found guilty in 1998 along with Jack Whomes. They were jailed for the murders of Patrick Tate, Tony Tucker, and Craig Rolfe. It happened at the Old Bailey court.
The three men were shot at close range while they were in a Range Rover in Essex, back in December 1995. Prosecutors said it was about a drug deal gone wrong.
This crime became famous, inspiring movies like “Essex Boys” featuring Sean Bean, and “The Rise Of The Footsoldier.” All three victims had police records.
Tony Tucker provided security for a nightclub where a young woman died from an ecstasy tablet. Leah Betts died right before the murders occurred. Steele and Whomes always said they were innocent.
Their convictions relied on Darren Nicholls’ testimony, who claimed he drove the getaway car. Appeals to overturn the conviction failed, with a judge seeing no problems with the original verdict.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission looked at the case but chose not to reopen it in 2023. Jack Whomes was released back in 2021, with strict rules.