07/12/07 - New evidence in 'Essex boys' case
EADT
BRAD JONES

THE bid to free two men jailed for the “Essex boys” murders will be stepped up today when new evidence is presented to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

The lawyer acting for one of the convicted men last night described the evidence as “highly significant”, and said it could force a fresh appeal hearing. Drugs barons Pat Tate, Tony Tucker and Craig Rolfe were found shot dead in a Range Rover on an isolated farm track in Rettendon on December 7, 1995.

In 1998, Michael Steele, from Ainger's Green, Great Bentley, and Jack Whomes, from Brockford, near Mendlesham, were jailed for life for the triple murders. They have fought to prove their innocence ever since, but have lost one appeal hearing. The CCRC is currently reviewing the case again - and is about to receive the new evidence.

The Old Bailey jury in the original trial heard that the murders investigation was triggered when two farmers found the shot-ridden bodies at about 8am on the morning of December 7, 1995. But Steele's solicitor, Chris Bowen, who believes there has been a miscarriage of justice, said he had now obtained evidence suggesting police may have been aware of the killings before the farmers reported them.

He said information provided by an Essex police officer during a review of the case by Hertfordshire Police in 2004 says that some officers knew about the killings at 6.30am - nearly an hour-and-a-half before the farmers' discovery.

Mr Bowen said were that timing correct, it posed questions which should have been put to the jury. He said the information was “highly significant”, adding: “This raises a number of pertinent questions that need to be answered urgently.”

Last night, an Essex Police spokeswoman said it would be inappropriate to comment while the CCRC is carrying out its review of the case.