Michael Steele was arrested on 13th May 1996. Also arrested at the same time was Jack Whomes and Darren Nicholls. They were all arrested for the importation of cannabis. Michael Steele was arrested on 13th May 1996. Also arrested at the same time was Jack Whomes and Darren Nicholls. They were all arrested for the importation of cannabis. Darren Nicholls was a police informant who was in a corrupt relationship with his handler. 

All 3 men gave no comment interviews. In one of the interviews totally out of the blue Darren Nicholls was arrested for being involved in the Rettendon Murders. The murders of Pat Tate, Tony Tucker and Craig Rolfe. On the 6th December 1995 all 3 men were blasted to death with a shotgun, while sitting in their Range Rover down a secluded lane. It is after this interview Nicholls suddenly turns super grass after having an untaped chat with no solicitor present. He starts telling police how he was the getaway driver and it was Michael Steele and Jack Whomes that were responsible for the murders. Michael Steele and Jack Whomes were convicted on the hearsay evidence given by Nicholls. The whole case was centred on his evidence. There was no forensic evidence whatsoever linking either men to the murders. Michael Steele and Jack Whomes have always maintained they are innocent, they were not responsible for these murders. Despite both men pleading their innocence they were both sentenced for the triple murders on 20th January 1998. They have both appealed the convictions but so far have had no success in getting the case before the court of appeal. Jack Whomes was a model prison and as a result of this he was granted parole and released from prison in 2021. He gas strict license conditions and was slapped with a gagging order he can not discuss the case with any media outlet or write any books. Michael Steele is currently still in a category A prison. He is now 82 years old with dementia. He has served 5 years over his original sentence he still maintains his innocence to this day. He has had several parole hearing which all ended up being adjourned. His latest parole hearing was successful. In February 2025 the parole board approved him for release he is no threat to the public. This was absolutely brilliant news.His release was subject to a 21 day reconsideration period the decision could be appealed by the MOJ. In a cruel twist right at the last minute the decision was appealed and the parole boards decision has been temporarily blocked by the minister of justice. There are so many unanswered questions in the Rettendon murders case, but one thing is certain both Michael Steele and Jack Whomes have maintained they are innocent and the evidence backs up their innocence. They have both been the victims of a miscarriage of justice. 

The murder investigation was a shambles from the start. The bodies were originally discovered by Essex drug squad approximately 1.5 hours before the 999 call was made by the 2 farmers that unwittingly stumbled across the gruesome scene. A phone call was made to the head of the drug squad at approximately 6:30 am informing him of the discovery of a Range Rover with 3 men shot inside. He did nothing the bodies and crime scene was left unattended and they walked away. The crime scene was compromised from the very start. It was not cordoned off correctly. It was only cordoned off with a piece of bomb tape and nothing else. No tents were put up to preserve the scene no walk boards were put down to preserve foot prints or tyre prints etc. The scene was trampled by those attending it. A reporter even managed to walk into the crime scene. There is a serious lack of crime scene photos. Cartridge cases were recorder in the wrong place and a cartridge case along with the photo of it completely disappeared from evidence. The police were alerted to the fact the snow was melting and vital evidence would be lost. Next they get a blow torch out and torch and it to melt the snow.An officer looking for evidence can be heard on news footage saying oh we won’t mention that. What did he find that could have been major evidence. No time of death was ever recorded in the investigation. The Range Rover bodies and any evidence on it or in it. Was dragged then winched onto the back of a recovery truck and driven 9 miles a way to the S.O.C garage. The body positions would have moved during transportation. The bodies were photographed in the Range Rover then removed. Then the Range Rover went off for a ballistic examination it returned 18 days later and a full forensic examination was carried out. Things were no longer in the Range Rover that had photographed. Exhibits disappeared from evidence never to be seen again. All 3 victims were seen alive and well after the alleged murder time. There is no forensic evidence whatsoever linking either Steele or Whomes to the murders or the lane. The case was surrounded in police corruption there were 5 corruption investigations go on around the case.
Operation cluster was about the victims being under surveillance and there being a tracker deployed on the Range Rover. Operation apache was about the corrupt relationship between Darren Nicholls and his handler. 
Operation obtain was about the 6:30 am call from an officer in the drug squad to the head of the drug squad. Another high ranking officer also received a call before 7am. 5 protected witnesses also gave statements about Darren Nicholls admitted to being coached and admitted he was going to lie in court. Operation Grenadier was into the head of the murder squad he involved with ringing high end cars, the officer and his brother had connections to one of the victims. The officer had an affair with one of victims partner during the investigation and court case.
Operation century was a sting operation to get information about the Rettendon murders. Phone calls were made from officers pretending to be in the IRA. The officers got drunk one night and went to far the operation was pulled. A former partner of one of the victims with a young child was threatened and scared for her life. Her flat was broken into and a listening device was unlawfully planted. Michael Steele had his life threatened he the reported the calls to the police and Steele recorded the calls. Steele’s house was searched and all the tapes disappeared. An officer was arrested and sent to prison for 6 months for theft. Evidence was not disclosed to the defence there are currently 124 crates of evidence and they are still being withheld. In January 1996 a man was arrested he feared for his life and thought he could be next. He admitted to being the getaway driver for the Rettendon murders he gave 3 detailed statements and took the police to the scene using the route he took on the night of the murders 3 times. He wrote a detailed 12 page hand written statement. He also gave information relating to another murder Thais information turned out to be true. This man was a trusted and reliable informant for the met police. No checks were made on him and he was never taken seriously his account of the murders was never investigated he gave the means the motive and the opportunity.  He was arrested and gave his information 4 months before Nicholls was arrested. Nicholls has taken parts from his account and used them in his own. Nicholls by his own admission was not an honest man by nature. He tells the court he wanted Whomes and Steele arrested and sent to prison. He was caught saying I’ve messed the story up here again. I’ve list the plot. I don’t know if I’m off the track. I’m hoping you will remind me of things I can not remember. It is wrong I was being prompted to get my story right. Nicholls gave a totally of 28 statements which show obvious signs of coaching. Michael Steele has been in prison for a crime he did not commit. He has done 5 years over his sentence enough is enough it’s time to let him out so he can live the rest of his life among family and loved ones. Please sign the petition and join the fight to FREE MICHAEL STEELE