Michael Steele, 83, was finally released from prison last May after serving almost 29 years for the murders of drug dealers Tony Tucker, Pat Tate and Craig Rolfe, who were shot dead in a Range Rover in Rettendon, Essex
A man imprisoned for life over the Essex Boys murders has been photographed for the first time since walking free from jail. Michael Steele, 83, was spotted back in the county following nearly 29 years behind bars for gunning down three drug dealers in a Range Rover.
Dressed in a grey fleece and jeans, Steele was seen opening a tin of wood treatment while carrying out DIY outside a property in the heart of his former territory. The grey-haired pensioner was finally freed last May after completing his life sentence for the murders of Tony Tucker, Pat Tate and Craig Rolfe in Rettendon, Essex.
Steele and his ex-friend Jack Whomes, 64, were found guilty of killing the men with a shotgun, but serious doubts persist about the safety of the convictions.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission is presently examining the 1995 case for a third time after retired Met detective David McKelvey submitted a report compiled by his investigation firm TM-Eye two years ago. Mr McKelvey has requested the CCRC conduct forensic testing on crucial exhibits, including shotgun shell casings retrieved from the murder scene, reports the Mirror.
He has also called for a sweet wrapper and water bottle discovered in the Range Rover to undergo the most recent scientific tests. Mr McKelvey said Essex police sold the vehicle at auction after Steele and Whomes were imprisoned.
He said: “It’s bizarre, I’ve never heard anything like a force selling the scene of a crime. But they do still retain items, including the shell casings and we asked for them to be retested using the latest techniques.”
Steele, portrayed by EastEnders actor Billy Murray in a film about the murders, was eventually freed from prison after Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s reconsideration application to delay the move was dismissed. He is prohibited from speaking publicly as his release comes with stringent licence conditions, including a ban on communicating with the media.
After a Parole Board hearing in November 2024, a summary of its findings revealed Steele had been approved for release. It stated: “None of the witnesses considered that his risks would be imminent if Mr Steele was released to the community at this stage.”
Whomes was released five years ago. The submission to the CCRC suggests a “Mr D” may have been the actual killer and that Essex detectives could have perverted justice.
It also brings up queries about a supergrass who might have lied under oath, car journeys “that would have required a time machine”, witnesses who were never called and crucial footprints in the snow. Essex Police said the case had been thoroughly investigated with no new evidence found.
The convictions hinged on the evidence given by fraudster Darren Nicholls. He testified at the Old Bailey that Steele, a drug dealer, enticed the victims to a secluded location with the promise of a cocaine shipment.
According to Nicholls, Steele intended to murder them before they could kill him following a previous deal that had gone wrong. The prosecution argued that the victims collected Steele in their Range Rover and drove to Workhouse Lane where Whomes was lying in wait after being dropped off by Nicholls.
It was alleged that Whomes blasted all three targets with a pump-action shotgun before making a “come and get me” call to Nicholls. However, Mr McKelvey, who co-authored the report with former Met Det Chief Supt Albert Patrick, informed the CCRC that the evidence supports a version of events provided by an East End armed robber arrested shortly after the murders.
He claimed that criminal Jesse “Billy” Gale, who later died in a crash, paid him £5,000 to drive a “Mr D” to and from Rettendon. Mr McKelvey, who played a minor role in the initial investigation, stated: “We approached this believing Steele and Whomes were highly likely guilty.
“After three years examining the facts we now believe there was a serious miscarriage of justice.” Essex Police were floundering for leads when Nicholls, then 30, asserted he was the getaway driver.
He negotiated a deal for a lighter sentence after cannabis was discovered in his van. Nicholls was already involved in a corrupt relationship with an Essex detective and was acquainted with Whomes, Steele and the victims.
At the Old Bailey trial, Mr Justice Hidden told the jury: “I hardly need to stress the importance of Nicholls’ evidence. So much hinges on what he said.”
Mr McKelvey’s report states that four witnesses who gave evidence in other cases told police Nicholls admitted perverting justice and perjury. He claims that evidence was ignored.
His report says: “Evidence now exists, and always has, that Nicholls lied on oath. Evidence also suggests some Essex police detectives were involved in ‘coaching’ Nicholls and are alleged to have perverted justice.
“Senior Essex detectives have been involved in a cover-up. These include current serving officers.”
Neither judge nor jury knew Nicholls had agreed a “commercial arrangement” with a writer to publish a book about the killings which made him several thousand pounds. He remains in hiding after being given a new identity.
Tate, Tucker, who acted as security for boxer Nigel Benn, and Rolfe were found dead by farmers. Steele and Whomes were given life with a minimum term of 23 years after being found guilty at the Old Bailey in 1998.
A Scotland Yard surveillance operation recorded a gangster offering to “take out” the drug dealers who supplied Leah Betts three weeks before they were murdered. Leah died after taking ecstasy and Tucker, Tate and Rolfe controlled the supply of drugs in the Basildon club where the tablet was bought.
A spokesperson for the CCRC stated: “Applications have been received in relation to these individuals, and a review is currently underway. It would be inappropriate for us to make any further comment while the applications are under review.”
Essex Police commented: “We will always work with the CCRC and keep any new information under review.” The murders were the inspiration behind the 2000 film Essex Boys, featuring Sean Bean.
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