A dramatic deathbed confession has thrown the notorious 'Essex Boys' murder case back into the spotlight, with shocking allegations of evidence tampering by police.
Deathbed Allegation of Police Coercion
Lee Shaw, a key witness in the original prosecution, claimed in a letter written before his death from cancer that police threatened him with prison unless he edited crucial telephone data. This data was later used to convict Michael Steele and Jack Whomes for the execution-style killings of three drug dealers in 1995.
Mr Shaw, who worked for Telewest in Southend, stated he was told the data "needed to be edited" and that officers knew details of his involvement in minor car thefts as a young man. He alleged he was warned he could face up to seven years in prison if he did not cooperate and keep quiet.
A Notorious Crime and Controversial Convictions
The bodies of drug dealers Tony Tucker, Pat Tate, and Craig Rolfe were discovered in a Range Rover on a farm track in Rettendon, Essex, on December 7, 1995. The crime, which inspired a film, saw Steele and Whomes convicted and jailed for life in 1998.
Their convictions relied heavily on the testimony of supergrass Darren Nicholls, who acted as the getaway driver. Appeal Court judges later noted Nicholls had a "corrupt" relationship with his police handler and may have been paid up to £15,000 for a pre-trial book deal.
Both men have always maintained their innocence. Whomes, now 63, was released in 2021, and Steele, 82, was freed in June 2025. Their cases are currently under review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).
Investigators Demand Access to Evidence
The private investigation firm TM Eye, led by former police officers, has spent five years examining the case. They have obtained Mr Shaw's letter and are demanding access to 124 crates of evidence held by Essex Police.
Former detective chief superintendent Albert Patrick stated: "We've been saying from day one that there's something not right about the cell phone evidence." Investigator Richard Burgess, a former Essex detective sergeant, believes the new claim shows the phone evidence was "incorrectly obtained" and should have been inadmissible.
In his letter, Mr Shaw expressed profound guilt, writing: "Did my involvement with the phone logs contribute to putting two innocent men behind bars? The thought terrified me."
Alternative Theories and Ongoing Scrutiny
The case has been dogged by alternative theories. In 2021, ex-gangster Steve "Nipper" Ellis claimed his late father, Sid, confessed to the murders. Furthermore, days after the 1995 ecstasy-related death of teenager Leah Betts—a tablet linked to the victims—a London crime lord was recorded on a police bug offering to "take out" the dealers responsible.
Essex Police maintain the integrity of the original investigation. A force spokesperson said: "There has been an exhaustive police investigation... which resulted in the conviction." They noted the case has been before the Court of Appeal twice and rejected, but confirmed they will "always work with the CCRC" and keep new information under review.
With the 30th anniversary of the murders passing, this new allegation ensures one of Britain's most infamous criminal cases remains fiercely contested, as the fight to overturn the convictions continues.
