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A recent announcement from the Parole Board states that Michael Steele, the man convicted in connection with the infamous Essex Boys murders, is set to be released from prison on licence. Steele was handed a life sentence in 1998 following the discovery of drug dealers Craig Rolfe, Tony Tucker, and Pat Tate shot dead in a Range Rover near Chelmsford three years earlier. Despite being 82-years-old, Steele has consistently denied any involvement in the murders. The Parole Board expressed that after observing his progress during his time in custody and reviewing other evidence presented during the hearings, they have concluded that his continued imprisonment is no longer essential for public safety.
Another individual involved in the murders, Jack Whomes, was also serving a life sentence but saw his prison term reduced in 2018, leading to his release in 2021. Referred to as the Essex Boys murders, this case has garnered significant attention over the years, resulting in numerous TV shows, movies, documentaries, and books that delve into the incident and its ties to other high-profile crimes and the rave scene of the 1990s. The Parole Board thoroughly assessed Steele’s case during hearings held in May 2023, as well as in May, November, and December of the previous year, and also in January. They emphasized that the decision to release Steele was made after careful consideration of the details surrounding his offenses, his conduct while in custody, and other evidence presented during the review process.
During his 1998 trial, it was revealed that the three victims were ambushed during a dispute over drugs on December 6, 1995. At the age of 55 at the time, Steele was found guilty of murder and conspiracy to import drugs into the UK. While his original minimum prison term of 23 years came to an end in 2019, concerns about his potential to reoffend had kept him detained. However, a recent report by the Parole Board highlighted improvements in Steele’s behavior while in prison, noting a significant change for the better. As part of his release conditions, Steele, a former resident of Great Bentley in Essex, will have to adhere to specific regulations such as surrendering his passport, refraining from owning boats, airplanes, or firearms, residing at a designated location, and potentially being subjected to electronic tagging and curfews.
Lawyers representing both Steele and Whomes have attempted to challenge their convictions multiple times at the Court of Appeal in 2006, 2013, and 2016. Despite these efforts, the Criminal Cases Review Commission, an independent body affiliated with the Ministry of Justice, decided against referring the case for further appeal in January 2023. Additionally, a recent Sky Documentaries series shed light on the doubts raised by detectives involved in the 1995 investigation, suggesting that credible leads may have been overlooked and proposing an alternative theory that links the murders to an armed robbery rather than drug-related activities. Essex Police, however, have maintained that the case underwent exhaustive scrutiny and that there is no new evidence to challenge the original convictions
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