Who was Tony Tucker?
TONY Tucker is known for being one of the members of the Essex Boys who were shot dead in the Rettendon murders.
He lived a life of crime starting in the 1980s. Here’s everything you need to know about him.
Who was Tony Tucker?
Tony Tucker was the head of a security firm that provided security for nightclubs across Essex.
He was also the security guard for former super middleweight champion Nigel Benn.
As a member of the Essex Boys gang, he ran drugs into clubs during the 1980s and 1990s which in turn inflicted a reign of terror.
He specialised in punishment beatings and frequently used torture as a means of getting people into line.
The gangster was ultimately responsible for supplying the ecstasy pill that led to the shocking death of Leah Betts, 18, in November 1995.
Who were the Essex Boys?
The Essex Boys were a gang that operated in 1980s and 1990s.
They were mainly involved in drug deals and were thought to be major players in the ecstasy trade that fuelled Britain’s rave scene.
The gang eventually became one of the most notorious in British history and sparked a number of films including Essex Boys – starring Sean Bean.
How did Tony Tucker die?
Tony Tucker, 38, was found shot dead in a Range Rover on an isolated farm track in Rettendon on the morning of December 7, 1995, alongside Pat Tate, 37, and Craig Rolfe, 26.
All 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.
The victims were all known members of the Essex Boys, and numerous theories came together surrounding how they came to be shot eight times.
Michael Steele and Jack Whomes were convicted of the murders after Darren Nicholls – who was the getaway driver – gave evidence against the two.
It is said that the murder happened over a conflict over money from an armed robbery.
This was after statements made by criminal Billy Jasper were looked at, which claimed that he was the actual getaway driver and that Brink’s Mat money launderer Patsy “Bolt Eyes” Clark was the one who wanted them dead.
Despite this, a three-part Sky documentary The Essex Murders questions whether cops had the right men for the crime
Investigator and former Det Supt Dave McKelvey told The Sun: “I strongly believe there has been a miscarriage of justice.
“In the years that have passed, Whomes missed seeing his young children grow up while Steele is an old man who has become almost institutionalised.
“Times have moved on so much from when they were first jailed that when I mention social media to Steele he has no idea what I’m talking about.”
However, Essex police stand by the convictions and a spokesperson said: “There has been an exhaustive police investigation into the murders of Pat Tate, Tony Tucker and Craig Rolfe in Rettendon on 6 December 1995, which resulted in the conviction of Michael Steele and Jack Whomes for their murder.
“Since then, this case has been back before the Court of Appeal twice, in 1999 and 2006. These appeals have included focus upon key evidential aspects of the case.
“Both appeals were rejected and in 2006 Lord Justice Kay commented that there was no “element of unsafety” relating to the original convictions of both defendants.”
BBC crime dramas
The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer.
Here’s a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades.
- Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, this detective drama series was adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and stars Peter Davison.
- Dalziel And Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.
- Death In Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.
- Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.
- Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington. Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.
- Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.
- Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies, this comedy-drama series follows a inventor of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.
- Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin.
- Life On Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister. Aired from 2006 to 2007.
- Line Of Duty: Created by Jed Mercurio, this drama follows the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit. Stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, aired from 2012 to 2021.
- Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther. Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.
- New Tricks: Warm-hearted drama following an eccentric group of old-fashioned detectives. Starring Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam. Aired from 2003 to 2015.
- Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch stars a modern day Sherlock Holmes, teaming up with Martin Freeman‘s war veteran Dr Watson to solve impossible crimes. Aired from 2010 to 2017.
- Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.
- The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.
- Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.
- Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he’s tasked to investigate while Wallander’s job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.