Summary
Michael Steele, who was convicted of the 1995 murders of three men known as the Essex Boys, has been released from prison at the age of 82. The Parole Board approved his release after a risk assessment found he was no longer a threat to the public. Steele will remain under strict probation supervision for the rest of his life.
Key Facts
- Michael Steele, aged 82, was jailed for life in 1998 for the murder of three men: Tony Tucker, Pat Tate, and Craig Rolfe.
- The murders occurred in 1995 when the three victims were shot in a Range Rover in Essex.
- Steele has always denied committing these murders.
- He was released from prison after the Parole Board determined he was not a risk to public safety.
- Steele will be on a permanent licence and closely monitored, meaning he could return to prison if he breaks any rules.
- His co-defendant, Jack Whomes, was also released from prison in 2021.
- Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood initially challenged Steele's release, but the decision was upheld after further review.
- The case has been widely covered in media and documentaries, examining its links to crime and rave culture in the 1990s.
