ONE of the men convicted of the "Essex Boys" gangland murders has been freed from prison.

Jack Whomes was jailed for life in 1998 alongside Michael Steele for the murders of Tony Tucker, Pat Tate, and Craig Rolfe.

The three men were found shot dead in a Range Rover in Rettendon, near Chelmsford, Essex, in 1995.

The killings took place after a row over a drug deal, prosecutors said, and the case later inspired the 2000 film Essex Boys starring Sean Bean.

A Parole Board panel decided 59-year-old Whomes - who still protests his innocence - was suitable for release back in January.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Michael Steele (left) and Jack Whomes (right) 

The Sun on Sunday reported that Whomes had been freed from jail yesterday.

He must comply with strict licence conditions, including living at an agreed address, to provide details of what vehicles he is using, to comply with restrictions on contacting certain people, his activities, movements and using technology.

According to a document detailing the decision, at the time of his offending Whomes had a "willingness to resort to violence and to use weapons", had "antisocial friends", acted on the "spur of the moment without thinking adequately about the consequences" and had difficulties with money and holding down a job.

He still maintains his innocence and "as a result little or no work had been completed to address offending behaviour", according to the document.

Whomes first became eligible for parole in May and the decision was made after his second review by the Parole Board.

It comes after he was recommended to be transferred to an open prison in 2019 and he has already had periods of temporary release.

The Sun on Sunday reported that Whomes' family were "over the moon" to have him home, and would continue to try and clear his name.