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22/02/2006
'Essex Boys' murder duo lose appeal
Two men serving life sentences for the gangland killings known as the "Essex Boys" murders have lost appeals against their convictions.
Michael Steele, 62, and Jack Whomes, 44, were jailed for life for the murders of Patrick Tate, Anthony Tucker and Craig Rolfe in 1995.
The three men were shot dead in a Range Rover on an isolated far track in Rettendon, Essex, in a gangland row over drugs.
Steele, from Great Bentley, Essex and Whomes, from Brockford, Suffolk, were also found guilty of conspiracy to import cannabis, along with Peter Corry, from Clacton, Essex.
The trio's appeals against the drugs convictions were also dismissed.
The case became known as the "Essex Boys" murders following the release of a film inspired by the murders, starring Sean Bean, in 2000.
Defence lawyers had produced new evidence to show that Darren Nicholls, a crucial witness at the 1998 trial, had entered into a media deal where he would be paid for his story. The lawyers for the pair argued that Mr Nicholls had a "financial incentive" for the men to be found guilty.
The Crown denied allegations of a police cover-up regarding the reliability of Mr Nicholls.
It has been reported that an application will be made for permission to appeal to the House of Lords by the pair's defence counsel.
(KMcA/GB)
Michael Steele, 62, and Jack Whomes, 44, were jailed for life for the murders of Patrick Tate, Anthony Tucker and Craig Rolfe in 1995.
The three men were shot dead in a Range Rover on an isolated far track in Rettendon, Essex, in a gangland row over drugs.
Steele, from Great Bentley, Essex and Whomes, from Brockford, Suffolk, were also found guilty of conspiracy to import cannabis, along with Peter Corry, from Clacton, Essex.
The trio's appeals against the drugs convictions were also dismissed.
The case became known as the "Essex Boys" murders following the release of a film inspired by the murders, starring Sean Bean, in 2000.
Defence lawyers had produced new evidence to show that Darren Nicholls, a crucial witness at the 1998 trial, had entered into a media deal where he would be paid for his story. The lawyers for the pair argued that Mr Nicholls had a "financial incentive" for the men to be found guilty.
The Crown denied allegations of a police cover-up regarding the reliability of Mr Nicholls.
It has been reported that an application will be made for permission to appeal to the House of Lords by the pair's defence counsel.
(KMcA/GB)
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