Rettendon murders

The Rettendon murders (also known as the Range Rover murders or Essex murders) occurred on 6 December 1995 in the village of Rettendon in Essex, England when three drug dealers were shot dead in a Range Rover down a small farm track.

The incident was followed by a major police investigation – Operation Century – and has been the subject of many books and five feature films.

Triple murders

On 6 December 1995, Rettendon was the scene of the triple murder of Tony Tucker (38), Patrick Tate (37) and Craig Rolfe (26), three drug dealers shot dead in a Range Rover down a small farm track.[1] The three men were found the following morning by farmer Peter Theobald and his friend Ken Jiggins.

Friend of the victims, and only surviving member of the main alliance, Carlton Leach now lives in Essex and has written and talked about the murders and his memory of his late associates.[2]

Police investigation

Main article: Operation Century

The sting "Operation Century" produced no arrests or evidence leading to a criminal prosecution. A prosecution that was eventually brought in connection with the murders was wholly based on police operations subsequent to the abandonment and closure of Operation Century.

Criminal convictions

Two men, Jack Whomes and Michael Steele, were convicted of the murders after police informer Darren Nicholls gave evidence against his former friends at their Old Bailey trial.[3]

Films

The films Essex Boys, starring Sean Bean, Rise of the Footsoldier, Bonded by Blood, The Fall of the Essex Boys and Essex Boys: Retribution are all based – to varying degrees – on the crime.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Bennett, Will (8 December 1995). "Leah Betts link to triple killing-Drugs squad probe gangland murder". The Independent. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  2. ↑ "Information on the Rettendon murders from the Website Essex Boys". Bernard O'Mahoney. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  3. ↑ The Independent: Life for men who killed dealers in Essex drug sting

Further reading

External links