Latest news with #EssexBoys'
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Hitman who carried out one of UK's most infamous gangland murders released from prison
The Essex Boys killer Michael Steele is now 82 years old Michael Steele has been released from prison (Handout/PA) A hitman who carried out on of the UK's most infamous gangland murders has been released from prison. Michael Steele was jailed for life after he was found guilty of the murder of 'Essex Boys' Tony Tucker (38), Pat Tate (37) and Craig Rolfe (26). The three drug dealers were shot by Steele and his accomplice, Jack Whomes, as they sat in a parked Range Rover in Rettendon, Essex in 1995. Michael Steele has been released from prison (Handout/PA) News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 After spending 27 years behind bars, Steele has walked free following a parole board decision. In Feburary, they ruled that his imprisonment was 'was 'no longer necessary for the protection of the public.' However, his release was stalled when Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood branded the decision 'legally irrational' and called on the board to reconsider allowing the triple murderer to walk free. Following a 'through risk assessment', they moved forward with their decision to release Steele. 'Mr Steele had offended for financial gain and out of greed,' their decision reads. 'He had sought to maintain a level of status or respect from others by exerting power. There had also been an element of thrill-seeking in his actions.' They noted his behaviour in prison had improved, and a psychologist said his risk of release was 'minimal.' Steele, who has maintained his innocence since his conviction, will be on licence for the rest of his life, and subject to strict conditions as well as intensive probation supervision. Pat Tate, Tony Tucker and Craig Rolfe were shot dead in a 1995 triple gangland killing which came to be known as the 'Essex Boys' murders (Essex Police/PA) He is required to surrender his passport and is forbidden from owning a boat, airplane or firearm. He is also required to live at a designated address. If he breaks any of the conditions, he will find himself back behind bars. 'Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Craig Rolfe, Tony Tucker and Pat Tate,' a spokesperson for the Ministry for Justice told BBC. 'This decision was made by the independent Parole Board after a thorough risk assessment. 'Michael Steele will be on licence for the rest of his life, with strict conditions and intensive probation supervision. He faces an immediate return to prison if he breaks the rules.' The case has been the subject of numerous films such as 'Essex Boys', 'Bonded by Blood', and the seven-part film franchise 'Rise of the Footsoldier'. Sky released a three-part documentary about the slayings in 2023.
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Powys County Times
‘Essex Boys' triple killer Michael Steele released from prison
A triple killer convicted of the 'Essex Boys' gangland murders has been released from prison, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) confirmed. Michael Steele was jailed for life in 1998 for the killings of Tony Tucker, Pat Tate and Craig Rolfe, which he denied, alongside co-defendant Jack Whomes. The three men were found shot dead in a Range Rover in Rettendon, near Chelmsford, Essex, in 1995. A Parole Board panel decided in February to free Steele, now in his 80s, because his imprisonment was 'no longer necessary for the protection of the public' but Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood challenged the decision and asked for his case to be reviewed again on the grounds the decision was legally irrational. Steele was released from prison in May, the MoJ confirmed. A spokesperson for the government department said: 'Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Craig Rolfe, Tony Tucker and Pat Tate. 'This decision was made by the independent Parole Board after a thorough risk assessment. 'Michael Steele will be on licence for the rest of his life, with strict conditions and intensive probation supervision. He faces an immediate return to prison if he breaks the rules.' The killings took place after a row over a drug deal, prosecutors said, and the case later inspired the 2000 film Essex Boys, starring Sean Bean. The decision in February to release Steele came in the second review by the Parole Board following the end of his initial minimum term of 23 years' imprisonment. He had not been assessed as suitable for formal risk-reduction interventions while in prison, 'partly through lack of need and partly because he had maintained his innocence of involvement in the murders', the Parole Board's summary said. It added that risk factors for Steele at the time of his offending included his 'criminal lifestyle, involvement with drugs and association with the wrong people'. But the Parole Board also found that Steele's behaviour in prison had shown 'marked improvement' and none of the witnesses considered risks would be imminent if he was released into the community. Strict licence conditions were set out for Steele, including to live at a designated address, be of good behaviour, provide financial and business details, give up his passport, and be subject to electronic tagging and a specified curfew. There were additional restrictions relating to the use of electronic technology, contact with the media or other publications, and not to own a boat, plane or firearm.
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Glasgow Times
‘Essex Boys' triple killer Michael Steele released from prison
Michael Steele was jailed for life in 1998 for the killings of Tony Tucker, Pat Tate and Craig Rolfe, which he denied, alongside co-defendant Jack Whomes. The three men were found shot dead in a Range Rover in Rettendon, near Chelmsford, Essex, in 1995. Pat Tate, Tony Tucker and Craig Rolfe were shot dead in a 1995 triple gangland killing which came to be known as the 'Essex Boys' murders (Essex Police/PA) A Parole Board panel decided in February to free Steele, now in his 80s, because his imprisonment was 'no longer necessary for the protection of the public' but Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood challenged the decision and asked for his case to be reviewed again on the grounds the decision was legally irrational. Steele was released from prison in May, the MoJ confirmed. A spokesperson for the government department said: 'Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Craig Rolfe, Tony Tucker and Pat Tate. 'This decision was made by the independent Parole Board after a thorough risk assessment. 'Michael Steele will be on licence for the rest of his life, with strict conditions and intensive probation supervision. He faces an immediate return to prison if he breaks the rules.' The killings took place after a row over a drug deal, prosecutors said, and the case later inspired the 2000 film Essex Boys, starring Sean Bean. The decision in February to release Steele came in the second review by the Parole Board following the end of his initial minimum term of 23 years' imprisonment. Police search a remote lane in Rettendon, Essex, in 1995 after the bodies of Tony Tucker, Pat Tate and Craig Rolfe were found inside a Range Rover (PA) He had not been assessed as suitable for formal risk-reduction interventions while in prison, 'partly through lack of need and partly because he had maintained his innocence of involvement in the murders', the Parole Board's summary said. It added that risk factors for Steele at the time of his offending included his 'criminal lifestyle, involvement with drugs and association with the wrong people'. But the Parole Board also found that Steele's behaviour in prison had shown 'marked improvement' and none of the witnesses considered risks would be imminent if he was released into the community. Strict licence conditions were set out for Steele, including to live at a designated address, be of good behaviour, provide financial and business details, give up his passport, and be subject to electronic tagging and a specified curfew. There were additional restrictions relating to the use of electronic technology, contact with the media or other publications, and not to own a boat, plane or firearm. The Parole Board decided Whomes, then aged 59, could be released in 2021.
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- South Wales Argus
‘Essex Boys' triple killer Michael Steele released from prison
Michael Steele was jailed for life in 1998 for the killings of Tony Tucker, Pat Tate and Craig Rolfe, which he denied, alongside co-defendant Jack Whomes. The three men were found shot dead in a Range Rover in Rettendon, near Chelmsford, Essex, in 1995. Pat Tate, Tony Tucker and Craig Rolfe were shot dead in a 1995 triple gangland killing which came to be known as the 'Essex Boys' murders (Essex Police/PA) A Parole Board panel decided in February to free Steele, now in his 80s, because his imprisonment was 'no longer necessary for the protection of the public' but Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood challenged the decision and asked for his case to be reviewed again on the grounds the decision was legally irrational. Steele was released from prison in May, the MoJ confirmed. A spokesperson for the government department said: 'Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Craig Rolfe, Tony Tucker and Pat Tate. 'This decision was made by the independent Parole Board after a thorough risk assessment. 'Michael Steele will be on licence for the rest of his life, with strict conditions and intensive probation supervision. He faces an immediate return to prison if he breaks the rules.' The killings took place after a row over a drug deal, prosecutors said, and the case later inspired the 2000 film Essex Boys, starring Sean Bean. The decision in February to release Steele came in the second review by the Parole Board following the end of his initial minimum term of 23 years' imprisonment. Police search a remote lane in Rettendon, Essex, in 1995 after the bodies of Tony Tucker, Pat Tate and Craig Rolfe were found inside a Range Rover (PA) He had not been assessed as suitable for formal risk-reduction interventions while in prison, 'partly through lack of need and partly because he had maintained his innocence of involvement in the murders', the Parole Board's summary said. It added that risk factors for Steele at the time of his offending included his 'criminal lifestyle, involvement with drugs and association with the wrong people'. But the Parole Board also found that Steele's behaviour in prison had shown 'marked improvement' and none of the witnesses considered risks would be imminent if he was released into the community. Strict licence conditions were set out for Steele, including to live at a designated address, be of good behaviour, provide financial and business details, give up his passport, and be subject to electronic tagging and a specified curfew. There were additional restrictions relating to the use of electronic technology, contact with the media or other publications, and not to own a boat, plane or firearm. The Parole Board decided Whomes, then aged 59, could be released in 2021.
Western Telegraph
3 days ago
- Western Telegraph
‘Essex Boys' triple killer Michael Steele released from prison
Michael Steele was jailed for life in 1998 for the killings of Tony Tucker, Pat Tate and Craig Rolfe, which he denied, alongside co-defendant Jack Whomes. The three men were found shot dead in a Range Rover in Rettendon, near Chelmsford, Essex, in 1995. Pat Tate, Tony Tucker and Craig Rolfe were shot dead in a 1995 triple gangland killing which came to be known as the 'Essex Boys' murders (Essex Police/PA) A Parole Board panel decided in February to free Steele, now in his 80s, because his imprisonment was 'no longer necessary for the protection of the public' but Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood challenged the decision and asked for his case to be reviewed again on the grounds the decision was legally irrational. Steele was released from prison in May, the MoJ confirmed. A spokesperson for the government department said: 'Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Craig Rolfe, Tony Tucker and Pat Tate. 'This decision was made by the independent Parole Board after a thorough risk assessment. 'Michael Steele will be on licence for the rest of his life, with strict conditions and intensive probation supervision. He faces an immediate return to prison if he breaks the rules.' The killings took place after a row over a drug deal, prosecutors said, and the case later inspired the 2000 film Essex Boys, starring Sean Bean. The decision in February to release Steele came in the second review by the Parole Board following the end of his initial minimum term of 23 years' imprisonment. Police search a remote lane in Rettendon, Essex, in 1995 after the bodies of Tony Tucker, Pat Tate and Craig Rolfe were found inside a Range Rover (PA) He had not been assessed as suitable for formal risk-reduction interventions while in prison, 'partly through lack of need and partly because he had maintained his innocence of involvement in the murders', the Parole Board's summary said. It added that risk factors for Steele at the time of his offending included his 'criminal lifestyle, involvement with drugs and association with the wrong people'. But the Parole Board also found that Steele's behaviour in prison had shown 'marked improvement' and none of the witnesses considered risks would be imminent if he was released into the community. Strict licence conditions were set out for Steele, including to live at a designated address, be of good behaviour, provide financial and business details, give up his passport, and be subject to electronic tagging and a specified curfew. There were additional restrictions relating to the use of electronic technology, contact with the media or other publications, and not to own a boat, plane or firearm. The Parole Board decided Whomes, then aged 59, could be released in 2021.
