By James Simons-
A murderer convicted of the “Essex Boys” farmland murders is to be released from jail.
The man and his friend Michael Steele, now 76, were found guilty at trial of shooting Tony Tucker, 38, Pat Tate, 37 and Craig Rolfe, 26, whose bodies were found in a Range Rover on a country lane in Rettendon, Essex, in December 1995.
Patrick Tate, Anthony Tucker and Craig Rolfe were gunned down with a pump-action shotgun after their vehicle was ambushed.
Jack Whomes, 59, was given a life sentence in 1998 for the execution of three men whose Range Rover had been ambushed in Rettendon in December 1995.
Each of the three of them were “blasted” by a shotgun from close range, lying blood-covered and slumped in the vehicle until they were discovered by two local farmers the next morning..
Whomes has been granted temporary release over the last few years and witnesses recommended that he should be let out on life licence, the panel heard.
The panel also heard victim impact statements from relatives of the three murdered villains.
The case gained national attention and became known as the “Essex Boys murders” after it inspired a film of that name starring Sean Bean.
Whomes, was described as a model prisoner after gaining a number of qualifications in jail.
After a Parole Board hearing this month, the panel said he was suitable for release subject to strict conditions.
He had been working as a mechanic in Ipswich on day release from open prison before the coronavirus pandemic.
A summary of the Parole Board decision, released today, said: “As required by law, Mr Whomes’ case was referred to the Parole Board by the Secretary of State for Justice to determine whether he could be safely released on parole licence.
“Whomes had been tested many times in the community via periods of temporary release and witnesses recommended that he should now be released on life licence,” said the board.
It added that the “risk management plan was robust enough to manage Mr Whomes in the community”.
A Parole Board spokesman said the panel had “carefully examined a whole range of evidence” including details of the murders, behaviour change and the impact of the crime on victims.
He added: “Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.”