Latest news with #Rettendon
The Sun
18-07-2025
- The Sun
Tributes pour in for ‘warm and infectious' mum and nan killed in three-vehicle crash as man, 36, arrested
TRIBUTES have poured in for a mum and a nan who tragically died in a late-night crash, as cops continue to quiz a suspect. Two women died in the fatal crash late on Monday in Essex. Emergency services were called at 11.30pm after three vehicles collided in Rettendon. Two women - a driver in their 50s and a passenger in their 90s - sadly died following the collision, named locally as Andrea Rawley and her mum Brenda Drew. The crash is understood to have happened after the pair had attended a family friend's birthday. A 36-year-old man, from Witham, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He remains in custody for questioning. Andrea's daughter, Leah, has set up a fundraiser to cover funeral costs. The fundraising page said: "Monday night my partner and I spent the evening with mum and Nan at nan's best friend's birthday. They dropped us both home and then they headed home where the tragedy happened. "I've been overwhelmed with flowers which I am so grateful for but please may I ask if people could donate towards the best send off for me to be able to send them on their last journey together. "My mum has always been involved with horses and had always said she would love to have a horse and carriage funeral. "Unfortunately these do come with a heavy price tag, especially now, we would love to have a twin carriage, they died together so it's only right that they go together. "My nan has paid for her funeral in advance but mum didn't being so young. "We will have immediate family's flowers on the day for them both but if you would like to bring a single rose to leave with them then you may. "If you could spare some money no matter how small to help my family give them the best send off it would make the world of difference to me and dad. Thank you to everyone who has given myself and my dad support over this horrendous time." In a tribute, the Beechwood Equestrian Centre described Andrea as 'a regular presence'. They said: 'She was an enthusiastic horsewoman with a warm and infectious nature, and one we will miss sincerely. "When choosing between all the photos we have of her enjoying her horses and friends at Beechwoods, we felt this one summed up the joy her presence brought to any occasion and the wonderful relationship she had with her horses. Rest in peace Andrea.' A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us. You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. "It can be found at the bottom right of our homepage at Visit to find out more about our website reporting services. "Alternatively, you can call us on 101. In an emergency always call 999. If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can contact independent charity on Twitter at @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111. "Please quote incident 1543 of 14 July when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible. " 1
The Independent
02-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
‘Essex Boys' triple killer released from prison
A man convicted of the ' Essex Boys' gangland murders has been released from prison. Michael Steele was jailed for life in 1998 for the killings of Tony Tucker, Pat Tate and Craig Rolfe, alongside co-defendant Jack Whomes. The three men were found shot dead in a Range Rover in Rettendon, near Chelmsford, Essex, in 1995. Steele has always denied the murders. A Parole Board panel made the decision to free Steele, now in his 80s, in February because his imprisonment was 'no longer necessary for the protection of the public'. However, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood challenged the decision and asked for Steele's case to be reviewed on the grounds the decision was legally irrational. Steele was released from prison in May, the Ministry of Justice has now 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. The Parole Board decided Whomes, then aged 59, could be released in 2021.
Telegraph
02-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
‘Essex Boys' triple killer 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 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. The Parole Board decided Whomes, then aged 59, could be released in 2021.
The Independent
02-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
‘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. The Parole Board decided Whomes, then aged 59, could be released in 2021.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Essex Boys' triple-killer Michael Steele released from prison after 27 years
A triple killer convicted of the notorious "Essex Boys" murders has been released from prison after 27 years. Michael Steele was jailed alongside Jack Whomes in 1998 for the murders of Patrick Tate, 37, Tony Tucker, 38, and Craig Rolfe, 26. They were shot dead at point-blank range on an isolated farm track at Rettendon, , in 1995 in what prosecutors said was a row over a drug deal. The gangland executions, also known as the Rettendon Murders or the Range Rover Murders, inspired the 2000 film Essex Boys, starring Sean Bean, as well as The Rise Of The Footsoldier franchise. All three of the victims were known to police. Steele and Whomes maintained their innocence following their convictions, which were based in part on evidence from "supergrass" Darren Nicholls, who said he was the getaway driver. Their appeals were rejected and in 2006 Lord Justice Kay said there was no "element of unsafety" over the convictions. The case was also reviewed by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which decided in 2023 not to refer it back to the Court of Appeal. The Parole Board after a "marked improvement" in his behaviour and because keeping him locked up was no longer necessary to protect the public. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood challenged the decision, arguing it was legally irrational, and asked for his case to be looked at again. However, the Ministry of Justice has confirmed Steele was let out in May. An MoJ spokesperson 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." Read more from Sky News: Those conditions include staying at a designated address, giving up his passport, wearing an electronic tag and having a curfew. Other rules on using technology and speaking to the media are in place - and he won't be able to own a firearm, plane or boat. Whomes was released from jail in 2021 and is also subject to strict licence conditions
