Michael Steele to Be Released with Strict Conditions

Michael Steele, convicted for the notorious 'Essex Boys' murders in 1998, is set to be released on licence after serving 27 years in prison. Steele, now in his 80s, was jailed for the execution-style killings of three drug dealers in Essex in 1995, a crime he has consistently denied. The Parole Board determined his release, concluding that he no longer poses a threat to the public, despite not having participated in formal risk-reduction programs. Steele's release comes with stringent conditions, including electronic tagging and restrictions on technology use, travel, and media contact. His co-defendant, Jack Whomes, was released earlier in 2021 under similar conditions. The murders, which inspired films like 'Essex Boys' and 'Rise of the Footsoldier', were partly based on the testimony of a key witness, Darren Nicholls, although the convictions were upheld by appeals and reviews.